Your informed guide to the general election

Today the Otago Daily Times expands its coverage of the election campaign with a dedicated election page, reports from the weekend's activities and a preview of the days ahead.

This week, the newspaper sends political editor Dene Mackenzie on a road trip to capture the mood of the country.

The trip starts in Christchurch, where political parties are finding it hard to track voters who have shifted from their home areas following the city's devastating earthquakes and where delays in the start of reconstruction have caused much frustration for residents.

The trip will also include flashpoint electorates where National believes it has a chance of winning traditional Labour seats, and where Labour believes it can win back seats it lost in 2008.

Interviews with first-time voters will be a feature of the coverage.

During the next three weeks, the Otago Daily Times will analyse the southern electorates, the issues, the candidates and voting trends.

Candidate meetings will be covered, starting tonight with The Star-Otago Chamber of Commerce meet-the-candidates forum in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, starting at 6.30pm.

While most of the debate this election will be around the economy, the ODT will be looking for some direction from candidates about economic development in the South.

Health, education and welfare will also feature.

An election diary will carry a list of forthcoming events, policy releases, quotable quotes and issues or people to watch in the coming few days.

The ODT will also use the significant resources of The New Zealand Herald and news agency APNZ to provide coverage from throughout the country.

Debates between leaders will continue to be reviewed.

On Friday, November 25, an extensive wrap of the campaign and the mood of the country will be carried by the ODT.

On Monday, November 28, full election results will be carried in an eight-page lift-out, including interviews with winners and losers, and predictions for the new government.

 

Add a Comment