Politics is about appearances as much as policy. But it’s possible to make an informed judgment about political leaders, if we know what to look for.

The final days of the campaign have seen both major parties warn of instability if the other wins. But behind the jockeying for power, other forces are shaping the future of New Zealand politics.

Personal bias, upbringing and even popular dramas can influence the way we evaluate political leadership. As election day nears, how might we make more balanced judgments?

AI technologies have been left largely unregulated in New Zealand – and barely discussed during the election campaign. The country needs a clear plan for the brave new digital world.

Farmers once held immense power in New Zealand, and the National Party was their natural home. But the old order has been under threat for some time, with this election making the fault lines clear.

A shift towards more punitive responses to youth crime by the next government could reverse the progress New Zealand has made in reducing offending and addressing its root causes.

From the war in Ukraine and China’s role in the Pacific, to multi-billion-dollar military decisions, New Zealand will face huge challenges during the next term of government.

The latest political opinion polls confirm the rightward trend since mid-year. But with NZ First on the rise, the shape of the next government remains unpredictable.

People on benefits are borrowing from the government to pay for essentials like power bills and car repairs. But repayments leave them with even less than before.

This winter’s bumper snowfall notwithstanding, the future of Ruapehu’s famous ski fields is highly uncertain. But the mountain itself will remain important in other ways.

Under the new Natural and Built Environments Act, it will take ten years to phase out the old Resource Management Act. Parties promising reform will likely end up presiding over the status quo.

Te Pāti Māori was born out of protest. After almost two decades, the party is carving out a political presence beyond its traditional base of support.

Arguments against including Indigenous cultural perspectives and experiences in public policy have spilled over into prejudice and racism on both sides of the Tasman. That harms democracy.

Police have warned climate protesters could face up to 14 years in jail for ‘endangering transport’ – longer than the maximum for serious crimes like ram-raiding.

The Conversation’s poll-watcher breaks down the party support trend since March – which has all been surging one way, despite some variation between pollsters.