News 8,114 views since yesterday

Brownlee urges National to review its campaign without recriminations

In an NZ Herald interview, he points to electorate-seat support as the party faces questions about its campaign tone and internal balance of power.

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nzherald.co.nz Story of November 13, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of nzherald.co.nz's most watched videos since yesterday, with 8,114 views.

'They're not particularly happy': Gerry Brownlee on National's campaign

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Gerry Brownlee wants National to learn from its election campaign, not turn its disappointment into a round of recriminations.

Asked in an NZ Herald interview about his earlier questioning of negative campaigning, Brownlee expresses respect for those who ran the campaign while acknowledging their unhappiness with the outcome.

"They're not particularly happy with the result obviously," he says. But assigning blame is not his preferred response: "You don't want to get into recrimination of any type whatsoever. It doesn't take you anywhere."

The interviewer also raises an open letter from former National president Sue Wood and asks whether the party's electorate MPs could gain greater internal influence. Brownlee responds by arguing that holding two-thirds of electorate seats demonstrates strong confidence in National. That is his reading of the electorate results, rather than an answer confirming a shift in power.

The exchange comes while the broader election outcome remains unsettled. In a separate podcast published on Friday, the Herald says votes are still being counted and examines the coalition choices facing National and Labour.

Brownlee's interview clip drew about 8,000 views since yesterday, the largest audience over that period among the channel's uploads from the past two days. His proposed forum for the argument is the routine post-election review, when, he says, everyone should have their say.

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