Newshub's three most experienced political journalists will host Newshub's Decision 2020 election night coverage live as the votes stream in to decide New Zealand's new Prime Minister.
Tova O'Brien, Patrick Gower and Duncan Garner have covered 17 elections between them and with 35 years of experience, they're champing at the bit to get into the election.
Current political editor O'Brien says the coverage will be like nothing the country has ever seen.
"There are so many edge-of-seat, must-watch variables," she said.
"If 2020 is anything to go by, this is going to be the most unpredictable, exciting, high-stakes, important, volatile, whiplash-inducing election campaign in a generation."
But it's not just election night that needs covering - Newshub will bring New Zealand everything they need to make an informed decision in the leadup to the election.
Newshub will host a head-to-head leaders debate where National leader Judith Collins and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will debate in front of a live audience on September 30 with Gower moderating.
Gower will also host two one-hour specials on euthanasia and recreational cannabis - the two upcoming referendums.
"The referendum questions make this election even more unique and we are giving them the coverage they deserve so that people can make an informed choice," Gower says.
Newshub Nation will present further live debate in its special Powerbrokers - its multi-party leaders’ debate featuring the Green Party’s Marama Davidson, the ACT Party’s David Seymour, and John Tamihere from The Maori Party.
Three’s The Hui will also be running debates centred on the seven Māori seats between 15 September - 11 October, hosted by award-winning Māori journalist Mihingarangi Forbes.
Garner says he's thrilled to be presenting the election coverage, and can't wait to bring New Zealanders the coverage they deserve.
"We were encouraged, grateful and bloody delighted last time when record numbers of kiwis tuned in to our election night coverage and debates," he said.
"It showed that you trust us. That's why being with the best team is crucial for me and you."
What's playing when?
ELECTION NIGHT
17 October, 7.00pm: Newshub Decision 2020 Election Night, hosted in studio by Tova O’Brien, Duncan Garner and Patrick Gower. Newshub journalists will cross live from multiple locations around the country. Live on Three, ThreeNow, Newshub’s Facebook page and YouTube account.
DEBATES
30 September, 7.30pm: Newshub Decision 2020 Leaders Debate with Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins, hosted by Patrick Gower and post-debate analysis by Tova O’Brien with guest panellists. Live on Three, ThreeNow, Newshub’s Facebook page and YouTube account. Simulcast on Magic Talk.
19 September, 9.30am: Newshub Nation presents Battlegrounds - a special programme dedicated to some of the most hotly-contested electorates in the country, featuring a debate between the key Northland Candidates, on location in the Bay of Islands.
3 October, 9.30am: Newshub Nation presents Powerbrokers, its multi-party leaders’ debate featuring the Green Party’s Marama Davidson , the ACT Party’s David Seymour, and John Tamihere from The Maori Party.
Three’s The Hui will also be running debates centred on the seven Māori seats between 15 September - 11 October, hosted by award-winning Māori journalist Mihingarangi Forbes.
REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
7 October, 8.30pm: Newshub Decision 2020 The Cannabis Question, moderated by Patrick Gower. Live on Three, ThreeNow, Newshub’s Facebook page and YouTube account.
14 October, 8.30pm: Newshub Decision 2020 The Euthanasia Question, moderated by Patrick Gower. Live on Three, ThreeNow, Newshub’s Facebook page and YouTube account.
THE MORNING AFTER
18 October, 10.00am: as the country wakes to make sense of its election result, Newshub Nation presents its live, extended 90-minute post-election special, hosted by Simon Shepherd and Tova O’Brien.
Three’s The Hui will also deliver an hour-long post-election special from 9.00AM, 18 October.
