Mediawatch The polls that pressure politics, Country Calendar’s Coro Street-level staying power
Mar 14, 2026
Catherine Edmond, longtime Country Calendar producer who helped shape its observational documentary style and champion women on and off camera. Tracy Watkins, experienced political editor with deep knowledge of polling partnerships and editorial decisions. They discuss a media frenzy sparked by one poll and who funds and shapes poll coverage. They also explore why Country Calendar endures, its format, funding and loyal rural following.
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One Poll Triggered Disproportionate Leadership Pressure
- Media amplified one poor Taxpayers Union Curia poll into sustained leadership speculation about Christopher Luxon.
- The poll (28.4% for National) triggered unscheduled interviews and headlines despite other polls being steadier and major news events unfolding.
Lobby Groups Can Kickstart Media Frenzies
- Third parties like the Taxpayers Union can seed political stories by commissioning and pre-sharing poll results to leaders and journalists.
- Jordan Williams admitted he sent results to party leaders and media late Thursday, which created a head of steam by Friday morning.
Media Polls Can Mix Editorial And Sponsored Input
- Media-run polls sometimes blend editorial and sponsored interests when partnered with external organisations.
- The Post runs Freshwater Strategy polls with Infrastructure New Zealand as a sponsor and Freshwater provides analysis and commentary in the paper.