Brash admits to inconsistent ads, challenges Luxon to debate

Don Brash acknowledged contradictions in his campaign messaging, admitting to being 'slightly inconsistent' and 'illogical' in his approach. He rejected claims that his strategy was confusing voters.

Brash's ads, which ran in the Herald, were accompanied by a personal message encouraging voters in Epsom and Tāmaki to support Act candidates. This message was demanded by Act, alongside NZ First, to run the initial ad discouraging a National party vote.

National leader Christopher Luxon criticized Brash's campaign, accusing it of confusing voters and urging supporters to avoid splitting their vote. Former National leader Sir John Key also appeared in a social media video urging voters to support National candidate Paul Goldsmith.

Brash said he had engaged with Act Party secretary Callum Purves and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to secure permission for the ads. He stated that the public likely wouldn't be aware of the requirement for approval, and it didn't matter to most voters.

Brash expressed frustration with National's stance, calling it 'pretends right-side supporters are incapable of understanding basic mathematics.' He argued that National was prioritizing party interests over public interest.

Brash issued a challenge to Luxon, offering to debate the National leader on the topic of vote-splitting. Luxon and others dismissed Brash's campaign, with Goldsmith and Nicola Willis noting that Brash's previous leadership role with Act did not end well.