Oxidation is hitting the coalition cauliflower hard a week on from the final election results being revealed.
Newshub launched the 'coalition cauli' last Friday afternoon, to see if it would outlast coalition negotiations which are currently underway between National, ACT and New Zealand First.
A week on, and while there have been some significant steps towards a deal, a Government is yet to be formed.
Checking in on the coalition cauli on Friday afternoon we can see there is now a large number of brown and black specks on its florets. Its once lush leaves are now drooping and fading. Black spots have also appeared on the leaves.
According to 'The Kitchn' food site, brown freckles on a cauliflower are a "common defect" and develop as a result of oxidation, meaning a "chemical reaction from prolonged exposure to light and air". This happens naturally the longer a cauliflower is stored.
It's unclear how long coalition negotiations currently have to go.
There was a major breakthrough on Thursday when Newshub spotted New Zealand First leader Winston Peters leaving ACT's offices. While NZ First staffer Darroch Ball had previously met with ACT Chief of Staff Andrew Ketels, Peters hadn't yet gotten into a room with ACT leader David Seymour.
Seymour then visited New Zealand First on Friday morning for talks. They lasted about 10-15 minutes and Seymour said he was "very happy" with how they went.
National leader Christopher Luxon isn't giving much away about the state of talks.
"We are all committed to making sure we get through as quickly as we possibly can," said Luxon on Thursday. "As soon as we have something to tell you, we definitely will."
Peters said: "The last few days we have been flat out all day and half the darn night... Speed is of the essence. We are not wasting time here. Some of us would like to get back home."
Seymour said: "Each party says they want it to happen quickly. I think everyone does but no one party can dictate the outcome or the timing of the outcome."
