21 May 2020

National leadership showdown in wake of devastating poll

From Checkpoint, 5:09 pm on 21 May 2020

National MPs have been subject to a mad-dash stumping campaign, as Simon Bridges and Todd Muller each made a desperate pitch for the party's leadership.

The two are in a bitter showdown accelerated by an devastating Newshub-Reid Research poll on Monday.

Mr Muller sent out an email on Wednesday signalling an intent to challenge - after Mr Bridges threw down the gauntlet, promising to put his position to the test.

A 1 News Colmar Brunton poll is expected soon. All eyes will be on the result and how it might impact Friday's face-off.

RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has the story.