Election 2023: The Front Bench - it’s all or nothing for Hipkins and Luxon in final week of the campaign

It’s the final Monday of the 2023 election campaign, in what is set to be one of the most important elections in recent memory.

To cut through the spin, join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench, a weekly broadcast to get to the heart of the issues that matter most.

This week, Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan is joined by The Spinoff’s editor-at-large Toby Manhire, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland councillor Richard Hills.

Manhire is stepping in for Barry Soper as the veteran broadcaster is recovering from open heart surgery.

The panellists will examine the latest from the campaign trail and look at how the candidates are doing as they thrash out the big political issues in the lead-up to the 2023 general election.

There’ll be no holding back, no off-limits topics and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated political discussion.

Phil O’Reilly brings his vast business experience and acumen to the table as the former chief executive of BusinessNZ, and is uniquely placed as someone at the leading edge of the global debate in his work as the Paris-based chairman of business at OECD.

Phil O'Reilly.

With climate change and local government being hot topics for the 2023 election, Auckland councillor Richard Hills, who has led Auckland’s Climate Plan and has also been chairman of the Planning, Environment & Parks Committee, will provide insight into the inner workings of policy-makers.

Auckland councillor Richard Hills. Photo / Dean Purcell

And of course, you’ll get the best analysis from Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan.

Whether it’s the cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day, every Monday at 4pm.

You can watch The Front Bench live on the Newstalk ZB and NZ Herald websites.