Campaign diary: Questions better left until later

Keeping it buttoned

Prime Minister Helen Clark makes no pretence about what she wants discussed during the campaign - or what she doesn't. Asked by a reporter to comment on the Maori Television Service board departures, she said she would not be speaking about it this week. "I'll talk about Maori Television next week."

Round No 2

All eyes will be on TV3 at 9.30 tonight for the last big clash of the campaign as Helen Clark confronts a man she has come to despise in recent weeks. National leader Bill English will be there, too, watching her and John Campbell slug it out in their first encounter since corngate.

Leaping into headlines

Frustrated by lack of media coverage, Progressive Coalition press secretaries decided to jolt interest in their leader by issuing a press release headed, "Jim to bungy-jump naked from Westpac rescue helicopter while throwing millions in cash to crowds below." The fake was a teaser for the more sobering real event - opening a business incubator at Porirua.

Can he confuse us?

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is in the habit of putting the "best quotes" in bold type in his speeches so busy reporters can cut to the chase. But his latest had even veteran Winston-watchers bewildered: "So desperate are they that now Mr English has conjured up the spectre of a grand coalition. Grandiose musings! Santa Claus, having run into heavy weather, calls on Rudolph!"

Pretty yummy and not so pretty

Not the prettiest sight was Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope, who was forced during the Prime Minister's tour of the Cadbury's chocolate factory yesterday to cover his moustache with a hair net. More enthralling by far than coalition machinations for the reporters was the glorious chocolate waterfall they encountered on the factory tour.

They said it:

"Helen Clark should be telling us how she is going to keep out fanatic alien cultures." - Winston Peters cranks up the anti-immigration rhetoric.

Where the leaders are:

* Helen Clark is campaigning in Auckland and then preparing for the final leaders' debate on TV3.

* Bill English closes his campaign in Hamilton and then heads to Auckland for the TV3 leaders' debate.

* Winston Peters is campaigning in Tauranga, including a lunchtime rally.

* Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald are in Christchurch for the closing of the Greens' campaign.

* Richard Prebble is in Wellington and holds a meeting in Takapuna tonight.

* Jim Anderton holds street meetings and attends a candidates' meeting in Christchurch.

* Laila Harre campaigns in Waitakere.

* Peter Dunne attends a candidates' rally in Auckland.

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