Election 2026: Why the candidates behind the party leaders matter this election - Cecilia Robinson

Opinion byNZ Herald·7 Aug, 2026 11:00 PM8 mins to readCecilia Robinson is a founder and co-chief executive of digi-physical primary care provider Tend Health.‌Beyond the big names: Parliament needs people who know how to deliver, says Cecilia Robinson. Photo / Mark MitchellThere is a disproportionate amount of focus during an election campaign on party leaders. We analyse every speech, debate performance, announcement and mistake. We ask who looks the most prime ministerial, who has momentum and who has won or lost the political week. That scrutiny matters. Leadership matters enormously. But