Swarbrick calls National attacks cyber-bullying

Thirty-seven of the National Party's 94 Instagram posts from the past six days focused on the Greens or co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, according to an RNZ count. Swarbrick described the campaign's focus on her as "nasty" and "hysterical" cyber-bullying.

The National Party has repeatedly asserted that Swarbrick would serve as finance minister if the government loses power. Swarbrick told Morning Report that she is "effectively being cyber-bullied by the most powerful people in the country." She characterized the opposition's strategy as "throwing haymakers on the way down."

Swarbrick stated that she prefers to discuss policy substance, specifically the National Party's wealth tax proposal. She confirmed it is "100%" reasonable to debate her goal of becoming finance minister. She has already challenged National's finance spokesperson, Nicola Willis, to a "good, clean" debate on the topic.

The Greens leader noted that the attacks have moved beyond social media into every interview. She said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is "hammering" the narrative in every speech. Swarbrick argued that the National Party avoids discussing their proposals to keep painting her as a "bogeyman."

Luxon disputed the characterization. He told reporters that the party is using the Greens' own words in its promotion. He cited an example involving Marama Davidson, the most senior Greens member, who Luxon said estimated the government's debt interest rate at 1% or 2%, rather than the actual 4.93%. Luxon calculated that difference represents billions of dollars.

National's campaign manager, Simeon Brown, declined a request for an interview with Morning Report.