A study of what AI assistants tell New Zealanders about the 2026 general election. We put 174 questions, written as 32 New Zealand voters, to ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Google AI Overviews, and analysed the responses: which parties each one named, what it said about them, and which sources it relied on.
31of 31
answers to voting-guidance questions
The assistants still helped voters compare options: some matched parties to their priorities, offered a shortlist or asked what mattered to them.
See the voting-guidance answers536of 793
matched answers named a different party set
67.6% named a different set of parties when the same question was asked again, one week later.
See the parties named74of 124
location-specific answers named different parties
The total was close to the previous edition’s 72. Underneath it, 27 comparisons became different and 25 became the same.
Compare the nine locations252of 793
answers had an associated RNZ source
RNZ was associated with 252 matched answers, up from 198. The source grid shows how each assistant’s use of websites changed.
See the sources51of 178
AI Overviews included a web link
On the same 178 questions and locations, the count rose from 37 to 51. Most still did not include a web URL in the answer text.
See links by assistant12of 31
guidance answers matched parties to the voter’s priorities
Twelve answers linked parties or political blocs to what the voter cared about. An assistant could state that it would not choose and still help narrow the options.
See what the answers didHow we asked the questions, counted the answers and checked the statements.
There are six parties in Parliament. Of the 723 answers that mentioned any of them, 497 left at least one out. The bars compare how often each party was named in the same 793 answers on 5 and 12 October.
Each party counts once in every answer that names it. The upper bar is 12 October; the lower bar is 5 October. Both use the same 793 answers. Opportunity is not in Parliament.
Each square is one answer. Raised squares named all six parties in Parliament. Changes are percentage points on the same 178 cells per assistant.
Each row is an issue we asked about. Each column is a party. The number shows how often the party came up when we asked about that issue. The coloured line under it shows whether what the AI said about the party was positive, neutral or negative.
Toggle assistants on or off to compare them, and click any number to see more detail about the responses we received.
Showing all four assistants · 793 answers
| Topic |  National |  Labour |  Greens |  ACT |  NZ First |  Te Pāti Māori |  Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||||||
| Infrastructure and local services | |||||||
| Healthcare | |||||||
| Cost of living | |||||||
| Jobs and unemployment | |||||||
| Education and childcare | |||||||
| Tax and public spending | |||||||
| Democratic institutions and rights | |||||||
| Fuel and energy | |||||||
| Economy | |||||||
| Poverty and welfare | |||||||
| Climate and disaster resilience | |||||||
| Retirement and aged care | |||||||
| Rural and agricultural policy | |||||||
| Environment | |||||||
| Immigration | |||||||
| Te Tiriti and Māori–Crown relations | |||||||
| Foreign affairs and defence | |||||||
| Mental health and addiction | |||||||
| Crime and justice |
Eight questions asked for a recommendation, a shortlist or a verdict on the best plan. No answer gave an unconditional instruction to vote for one party. Select a square to read the original answer.
| What the answer did | ChatGPT | Gemini | Google AI Mode | AI Overviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Told the voter who to vote forNamed one party for the voter to vote for. | 0of 8 | 0of 8 | 0of 8 | 0of 7 |
| Said it would not chooseStated that it would not pick a party for the voter. | 4of 8 | 3of 8 | 4of 8 | 2of 7 |
| Matched parties to the voter’s prioritiesSaid which parties or blocs fit what the voter cares about. | 1of 8 | 5of 8 | 2of 8 | 4of 7 |
| Named parties to look at firstGave a shortlist of parties to compare. | 1of 8 | 0of 8 | 1of 8 | 0of 7 |
| Asked what matters to the voterAsked about the voter’s priorities before going further. | 7of 8 | 8of 8 | 1of 8 | 7of 7 |
Each square is one of the eight questions, in the same order in every cell. Behaviours can overlap. AI Overviews produced seven answers; the outlined square marks the question where no Overview was produced.
Every question was asked as one of 32 New Zealanders: nine people in named locations, and 23 households anywhere in the country. Each has its own page.
We looked at the websites each assistant drew on when it answered. Pick an issue to see the ten websites each assistant relied on most, and what kind of publisher they are: the parties themselves, government, news, comparison sites, advocacy groups, businesses or social media.
ChatGPT
48%party websites
Had sources202of 205
Showed you a link203of 205
national.org.nz, party websites,cited in 126 answers126
labour.org.nz, party websites,cited in 122 answers122
greens.org.nz, party websites,cited in 115 answers115
act.org.nz, party websites,cited in 85 answers85
nzfirst.nz, party websites,cited in 81 answers81
policy.nz, comparison sites,cited in 75 answers75
beehive.govt.nz, government,cited in 29 answers29
elections.nz, government,cited in 25 answers25
environment.govt.nz, government,cited in 20 answers20
maoriparty.org.nz, party websites,cited in 16 answers16Gemini
20%advocacy groups
Had sources202of 205
Showed you a link8of 205
whichparty.nz, comparison sites,cited in 47 answers47
facebook.com, social media,cited in 33 answers33
nzvotecheck.com, comparison sites,cited in 29 answers29
kiwicoaches.co.nz, businesses,cited in 23 answers23national.org.nz, party websites,cited in 20 answers20
nzmj.org.nz, other,cited in 18 answers18
thefinders.co.nz, businesses,cited in 16 answers16
apex.org.nz, advocacy groups,cited in 14 answers14Google AI Mode
37%news
Had sources200of 205
Showed you a link45of 205
rnz.co.nz, news,cited in 115 answers115policy.nz, comparison sites,cited in 60 answers60
nzherald.co.nz, news,cited in 49 answers49national.org.nz, party websites,cited in 32 answers32labour.org.nz, party websites,cited in 29 answers29
stories.theconversation.com, news,cited in 27 answers27elections.nz, government,cited in 22 answers22facebook.com, social media,cited in 20 answers20greens.org.nz, party websites,cited in 20 answers20AI Overviews
31%news
Had sources178of 178
Showed you a link51of 178
rnz.co.nz, news,cited in 137 answers137facebook.com, social media,cited in 93 answers93nzherald.co.nz, news,cited in 90 answers90national.org.nz, party websites,cited in 72 answers72labour.org.nz, party websites,cited in 64 answers64policy.nz, comparison sites,cited in 63 answers63greens.org.nz, party websites,cited in 47 answers47whichparty.nz, comparison sites,cited in 42 answers42
youtube.com, social media,cited in 42 answers42
1news.co.nz, news,cited in 37 answers37A website counts once per answer, however many times it was used. Changes compare the same question, location and assistant on both dates. Publisher shares count website-and-answer associations; they are separate from answer counts.
We reviewed fifteen propositions against primary sources on 13 October, comparing the earlier and refreshed answers. The ledger distinguishes corrections, repeated errors, omitted details and supported updates. Each verdict covers the identified proposition, and the change label describes what happened between editions.
2 wrong1 out of date3 unclear9 correct
New misleading framing and omission
Gemini
“New Zealand no longer relies on traditional international postal voting or physical mail-in returns for general overseas voters. Instead, the process is streamlined digitally or handled via specific diplomatic posts”
The baseline lists postal and hand-delivered returns. The refresh says New Zealand no longer relies on physical mail-in returns, then offers upload and in-person voting without retaining the physical-return routes. Official guidance still permits those returns.
Checked against MFAT overseas voting instructions (opens in a new tab) · Published 25 September 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Persistent method conflation
Google AI Mode
“Returning Your Vote: You can return your completed voting papers by uploading them securely back through the Vote NZ portal, or by post/hand-delivering them to an official overseas voting place. Fax and email submissions are not accepted. All votes must be received/uploaded by 7:00 PM (New Zealand time) on election day.”
Both answers apply the upload cutoff broadly. Physical returns must reach an overseas voting place by 4pm local time on 6 November, sometimes earlier; the upload deadline is separate.
Checked against MFAT overseas voting instructions (opens in a new tab) · Published 25 September 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Persistent outdated figure
AI Overviews
“National: National’s core childcare policy is the FamilyBoost scheme, which offers a 25% tax rebate on childcare expenses. In the 2026 campaign, they have proposed raising income thresholds to ensure wider access for middle-income families, though for a part-time worker earning under the initial caps, you would already qualify for the maximum rebate (up to $75 per week). National has also introduced policies to align school holiday calendars to help parents better manage childcare around work hours.”
The Overview repeats the 25% rate. Inland Revenue distinguishes the current maximum 40% rate from the pre-July-2025 maximum 25% rate; household income and eligible fees determine entitlement.
Checked against Inland Revenue FamilyBoost amounts (opens in a new tab) · Updated 9 April 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Important detail omitted
ChatGPT
Reviewed proposition: Earlier physical-return deadline
The baseline includes the earlier physical-return cutoff. The refresh lists physical routes but drops the cutoff, leaving an incomplete instruction for a reader using those routes.
Checked against MFAT overseas voting instructions (opens in a new tab) · Published 25 September 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Error not repeated
AI Overviews
Reviewed proposition: Expansion of MMP
Edition 1 incorrectly expands MMP as Multi-Member Proportional. Edition 2 uses MMP without expanding the initials. The official expansion is Mixed Member Proportional; omission is not an affirmative correction.
Checked against Electoral Commission MMP explanation (opens in a new tab) · Current guidance checked 13 October · checked 13 October 2026
Partial improvement; timing remains vague
Gemini
Reviewed proposition: Dunedin clinical opening
The August fully-operational claim disappears. The refresh still relies on broad late-2026 opening language rather than the newly announced first-patient date.
Checked against Health New Zealand clinical-opening announcement (opens in a new tab) · Published 9 October 2026; primary indexed content retrieved after direct retrieval failed · checked 13 October 2026
Corrected
ChatGPT
“When you vote, you receive a ballot paper with two separate choices.”
Edition 1 says two voting papers; Edition 2 describes one ballot paper with two choices. The narrow check concerns the ordinary MMP ballot rather than every special-voting document.
Checked against Electoral Commission voting instructions (opens in a new tab) · Current guidance checked 13 October · checked 13 October 2026
Supported in both editions
ChatGPT
“National's FamilyBoost policy provides rebates on eligible ECE expenses. In July 2026, National said the scheme had been expanded to cover 40% of eligible costs, up to $120 a week, for households with average income up to $229,000.”
ChatGPT retains the current 40% maximum rate. The household-specific amount is not established by the maximum alone.
Checked against Inland Revenue FamilyBoost amounts (opens in a new tab) · Updated 9 April 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Supported in both editions
ChatGPT
Reviewed proposition: Party threshold
Both answers retain the 5% party-vote or one-electorate-seat threshold. The check concerns the entry rule rather than every coalition prediction.
Checked against Electoral Commission MMP explanation (opens in a new tab) · Current guidance checked 13 October · checked 13 October 2026
Updated with supported precision
ChatGPT
“As at Sunday 11 October 2026, the key development is that the new outpatient building has been completed and officially opened, but its first patients are scheduled to be seen on Monday 12 October 2026. So, strictly speaking, its public opening ceremony and its start of clinical care are two different milestones.”
Edition 2 identifies 12 October as the first-patient date and separates ceremony from clinical care. The answer explicitly frames the date from 11 October. The official announcement was available before collection.
Checked against Health New Zealand clinical-opening announcement (opens in a new tab) · Published 9 October 2026; primary indexed content retrieved after direct retrieval failed · checked 13 October 2026
Updated with supported precision
AI Overviews
“The _New Dunedin Hospital Outpatient Building (Whare Mātūtū)_ officially opened to its very first patients on Monday, 12 October 2026. This marks the completion of the first major milestone of Project Whakatuputupu, bringing a wave of newly built specialist facilities online for the 350,000 residents of Otago and Southland.”
Edition 1 uses the month of October; Edition 2 supplies Monday 12 October. The supported date does not validate every capacity claim in the answer.
Checked against Health New Zealand clinical-opening announcement (opens in a new tab) · Published 9 October 2026; primary indexed content retrieved after direct retrieval failed · checked 13 October 2026
Supported continuity
ChatGPT
“The City Rail Link opened to passengers on 13 September 2026. Henderson now has a direct rail connection to Te Waihorotiu in central Auckland, with a published journey time of about 35 minutes. The new network also provides onward connections through central Auckland.”
Both answers distinguish an operating rail service from future transport promises. The operator records public services beginning on 13 September 2026.
Checked against City Rail Link official project site (opens in a new tab) · Current page checked 13 October · checked 13 October 2026
Supported continuity
ChatGPT
“Labour proposes a $20 weekly cap on bus and train fares in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, due by 1 July 2027. Once you reach the cap, additional eligible trips that week are free. Labour estimates average savings of around $30 per week for Auckland commuters, although your actual saving will depend on how much you currently spend.”
Both answers preserve the future commencement date. Labour describes the fare cap as a proposal for 1 July 2027 rather than a current saving.
Checked against Labour fare-cap proposal (opens in a new tab) · Current proposal checked 13 October · checked 13 October 2026
Supported continuity
ChatGPT
“There is also an important legal development: the Natural Environment Act 2026 and Planning Act 2026 received Royal assent on 30 September 2026. The new framework includes provisions for freshwater farm plans, although some provisions have staged commencement dates. This means the election debate is partly about how the new system will be implemented, not simply whether to return to the previous system.”
The answer keeps enactment separate from staged implementation. Environment Canterbury confirms the 30 September assent date while retaining existing processes during transition.
Checked against Environment Canterbury reform guidance (opens in a new tab) · Specific current reform section checked 13 October; footer metadata is older · checked 13 October 2026
Updated election context
ChatGPT
“Other parties will also be on the ballot. The Electoral Commission confirmed that 17 registered parties are contesting the 2026 party vote. You can see the complete list on the official election website.”
Edition 2 cites the final candidate and party release. The Electoral Commission confirmed 17 parties and 530 candidates on 9 October, between rounds. The check does not imply substantive treatment of every party.
Checked against Electoral Commission candidate and party lists (opens in a new tab) · Published 9 October 2026 · checked 13 October 2026
Each edition keeps its own findings, questions and original answers. The study opens on the latest edition.
Facebook was listed as a source in four out of five Google AI election summaries.
789 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
Facebook remained the most-cited website in Google’s AI election summaries.
783 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
All four AI assistants left out a party in Parliament more often.
783 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
Te Pāti Māori appeared in more election answers.
786 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
485 of 776 repeated answers named a different mix of parties.
776 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
The Opportunity Party went from one in five answers to nearly one in three.
793 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
The party order held, but 536 of 793 repeated answers named a different mix of parties.
793 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
Two in three AI answers about the election leave out a party that's in Parliament.
815 answers · 174 questions · 32 voter situations · 9 locations
Thursday 5 November
Same questions, asked again
Saturday 7 November
3 days away · polls close 7pm
Each question is written as a voter would ask it. A party counts as present when the answer names it. The report sets out what the numbers can and cannot tell you.
Read the methodAll 174 questions and 793 answers in full, with the tables behind the results and comparisons.
Browse the evidenceNZBrands.ai is a research publication from Onsomble. We take no view on any party or policy. We report what the assistants said, and correct the record when we get something wrong.
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