Helen Clark talked John Key into their joint refusal to take part in a televised debate with minor parties, TV3 says.
The broadcaster has been criticised for capitulating to the leaders' demands and cancelling an all-party debate scheduled for next Thursday, because it would be "unviable" without the
Labour and National leaders.
TV3's director of news and current affairs, Mark Jennings, said today Helen Clark and Mr Key were behaving outrageously.
"Clark doesn't want to share the stage with these minor parties, she's talked Key into it," he said on Radio New Zealand.
"They've done a backroom deal...I don't know what they're scared of."
TV3 yesterday said a debate between Helen Clark and Mr Key later in the campaign was "under active consideration" but it is understood it is likely to go ahead.
This means Helen Clark and Mr Key will get their wish - and the smaller parties get no air time at all.
"It is difficult to see where TV3 is coming from, but perhaps they believe it is ratings and not journalistic integrity that make the debate 'unviable'," Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said.
TV3 news Auckland bureau chief Keith Slater said Helen Clark and Mr Key's stance left it with "no choice" but to pull the debate.
"It's just been rendered unviable by their actions. How can it be a debate when the two main parties that drive politics and policy in this country are not participating? It just doesn't work," Mr Slater said.
TVNZ will still show a debate between the minor party leaders on October 27. It will also broadcast a head-to-head debate between Helen Clark and Mr Key.
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said she was disappointed TV3 had allowed itself to be bullied.
She said it showed both "old parties" wanted to get rid of MMP.
United Future leader Peter Dunne said TV3 had "cravenly buckled". Act's Rodney Hide said TV3 had "gutlessly caved in".
Winston Peters, who does not like NZ First eing referred to as a minor party, said he was not going to be drawn into "debates about debates".
Helen Clark said the agreement was made at chief-of-staff level, but could not recall who made the first approach. Mr Key said voters wanted to be able to compare the differences between himself and Helen Clark.
"A head-to-head gives New Zealanders the most clarity to see our different styles," he said.
