Turkish delight and tax fights: Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins hit the campaign trail

There was milk, Turkish delight and talk of a steak as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins tried to win over business owners, with less than two months to go until the election.With Parliament on a break, the prime minister and his Labour counterpart took to the streets to campaign this week.Donning a white overcoat, protective glasses, and a hairnet, Luxon toured the new Meadow Fresh High Value Dairy Centre on Thursday morning. The $100 million plant will produce high-protein milk products for export to Asia and has created 25 new jobs."It's a really awesome place, it's fantastic," he said. "I've met some incredible young people who are working here."Speaking to media, Luxon made his case as to why businesses should vote for his party and why they should not vote for Labour."Labour's capital gains tax is going to smash up businesses big time."[On Wednesday] I was up at the Woodend Bakery. There's a baker who has actually bought his building, and when he goes to retire, he's going to be paying a Labour government a capital gains tax."Bernard Duignan and Christopher Luxon cut the ribbon to officially open the Meadow Fresh High Value Dairy Centre in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.Peter MeechamMeanwhile in Auckland, Hipkins visited Dominion Road shops, joined by Labour candidates Michael Wood and former top cop Rakesh Naidoo.First up was commercial printing store Copies Plus.Last week Labour announced that, if elected, it would lift the tax write-off for small businesses buying equipment or tools, from $1000 to $10,000, which Hipkins was eager to share with Copies Plus owner Dave Shah."For a business like this, I imagine you'd be buying quite a lot of equipment that would be under the $10,000 threshold."That would definitely benefit me," said Shah.Further up the road, Hipkins talked to Istanbul Halal Meat and Grocery about meat prices."Definitely red meat has gone up a lot in price, hasn't it? Even a kilo of mince now is $20 plus.""That's the fatty stuff," Wood replied.Labour leader Chris Hipkins hits the campaign trail and meets Copies Plus owner Dave Shah.Jessica HopkinsHipkins confirmed he only bought "cheap" mince.The men also eyed up the store's meat selection."That's not a bad price on the steaks actually," Wood said. "BBQ season's about to kick off."Then, speaking to the media, Hipkins was asked about National's criticism of Labour's capital gains tax."It's just desperation from National. There's no great revelation here. If you own commercial property and you sell commercial property, yes, you'll pay capital gains tax on that. But for small businesses, the goodwill, the equity you build up in your small business, that is not covered by the capital gains tax."Michael Wood with some sweet treats.Jessica HopkinsWood said he was excited to be back and that his community could trust him, after he failed to disclose and sell shares in Auckland Airport in 2023."This has been my home for 23 years. I've served this area faithfully as the MP."We're in the most multicultural community in all of New Zealand, and when our community has been attacked by senior Cabinet ministers, I've spoken up for them."Leaving Istanbul Halal Meat and Grocery, he picked up some Turkish delight."It's important on the campaign trail to have a little sugar hit sometimes, and this is delicious."With less than two months until the election, both parties will be hoping the election goes their way and that they'll be revelling in delight come November.