According to 1News, it was the worst result for Labour in their polls in six years. Then, Andrew Little was the leader and the party had plummeted to 24 per cent. 

Labour leader Chris Hipkins tried to put a positive spin on the numbers, telling 1News National appeared to have peaked and they would look to attract those voters. 

National's Christopher Luxon meanwhile told 1News he was not fazed by the dip, stating MMP elections were “always close”. He said he didn’t think the dip was down to concerns over the party’s tax plan including allowing foreigners to buy properties with a specific tax. 

Act leader David Seymour said the party had gone from one to 10 MPs in 2020 “fantastically well” and he would be delighted to increase another 50 per cent. 

Green Party co-leader James Shaw said 15 MPs would be their highest ever result, the previous best being 14. 

NZ First leader Winston Peters meanwhile told 1News he believed the results to be an undercount. Peters has stated he would not work with Labour again, while Luxon has not ruled out working with NZ First, even though Seymour has indicated he would have difficulty working with Peters.

There was 12 per cent of respondents undecided. The poll canvassed 1001 eligible voters between September 16 and 19.

National and Act can govern alone but Winston Peters is also back in Parliament, according to the latest political poll.

Tonight’s 1News Verian poll has National on 37 per cent - down two points on their previous poll - and Act up two points to 12 per cent. The two parties would get 46 and 15 seats respectively - just enough to reach a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat Parliament.

The poll also reveals yet another pathway back for NZ First and party leader Peters, reaching the 5 per cent threshold and potentially delivering the party six seats. It is one of several in recent weeks putting the party, booted out in 2020, back in the fold.

It is still not good news for Labour, however, with the party dropping another point to 27 per cent and delivering just 34 seats. The Greens are up two points to 12 per cent and 15 seats while the other potential left-bloc party Te Pāti Māori is steady on 3 per cent and returning four seats.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon continue to be neck and neck in the preferred prime minister stakes at 23 per cent each.

David Seymour is next at five per cent and Peters is the next highest on four per cent.

The latest political poll at 6pm will reveal whether Labour has turned around its slump, or if National and Act have gained ground - and if NZ First is on track for an almighty return.

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Last night's debate was described as "grey, beige, horrid" by one prominent economist - so did the "vanilla" event change much for either Chris? Or have some other parties emerged as the real winners from the debate?

Media Insider and NZ Herald editor at large Shayne Currie gives his analysis on today's episode of On the Campaign.

Earlier, Hipkins arrived at Wairoa airport to speak with Mayor Craig Little and other local representatives about almost $4 million in Government investment in extending the airport runway by 100 metres, restoring a river reserve area and providing accommodation to workers who will assist with the town’s recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Hipkins attempted to travel to Wairoa soon after the cyclone but those attempts were foiled by bad weather and also the runway being too short for the PM’s aircraft.

The announced investment was welcomed by Little and other Wairoa locals.

Little told Hipkins the support the Government had provided was much appreciated, but it was likely the town needed about $7m more to make sure all those whose homes were impacted were assisted.

Following a private meeting between Hipkins, Little and other local reps, Little told journalists he was hopeful the further funding would be provided.

Asked on the topic, Hipkins could be heard saying “never say never”.

Hipkins has admitted a claim he made in last night’s debate was incorrect when he said fizzy drinks were banned in primary schools.

During the debate, Hipkins made the claim as he revealed Labour’s intention to apply the ban in secondary schools, saying evidence for its extension was in the existing ban.

Today, while standing at Wairoa Airport, Hipkins fessed up, saying that he had misunderstood the result of work done by the Ministry of Education on whether fizzy drinks should be banned in primary schools.

Hipkins confirmed Labour’s position was to ban fizzy drinks in schools.

Challenged on how students could leave school at break time and get them from the dairy before returning to school, Hipkins said it wouldn’t be possible for schools to ban that activity.

National proposed banning cellphones at school, something Hipkins - a former education minister - had repeatedly criticised.

Asked how the two were different, Hipkins said devices in school did have some educational benefit while fizzy drinks had no health benefit to students.

It comes off the back of Labour’s policy of free dental for under 30-year-olds.

New Zealand is in the thick of election campaigning and it was never more obvious than during last night’s first live leaders’ debate between Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon.

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Greens Co-leader, James Shaw, tours the energy-efficient home of Jenny Marshall.

Photo / Michael Craig

This week Labour alleged a “huge hole” in National’s climate budget, which would see the cost of petrol rise 40 cents a litre thanks to rising emissions prices.

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Andrew Little is talking to the media, announcing a temporary package of further support for exploited migrant workers and strengthening immigration rules.

Labour has promised to put in place a six-month programme of short-term basic financial support for victims, helping with accommodation and essential living costs.

Little said a review into claims about the accredited work visa that processes weren't working - there will be results on that review in December.

Exploited migrants are entitled to a visa which allows them to access the above support, it will be in place until March next year.

Some permanent changes to the accredited employment work visa include a business with 20 or fewer workers removing a 90-day trial.

"Migrant workers are already under a number of restrictions, its not too much to ask the employer who they ask to travel distance to work here is a good decision, and shouldn't need recourse," he said.

There will be a requirement that employers, who are a labour hiring agency, applying for accreditation must have no less than 35% of its workforce as NZ domestic workers.

Little said there are roughly 250 migrants on the protection visa, he said he can't quantify how many migrants might be affected by exploitative visa scams or working conditions across the country.

Photos / George Heard