Mike Hosking will not moderate tomorrow night's TVNZ multi-party debate

TVNZ announced tonight 1News political editor Corin Dann will step in to replace Mike Hosking (pictured) as debate moderator as Hosking is "too unwell to present Friday's debate". Photo / Getty Images

Mike Hosking will not moderate the TVNZ multi-party debate tomorrow night - due to sickness.

TVNZ announced tonight 1News political editor Corin Dann will step in at the last minute and replace Hosking as debate moderator.

"Viewers will know Mike's been off our screens since Wednesday," TVNZ's head of news and current affairs John Gillespie said.

"Unfortunately, he's too unwell to present Friday's debate."

Dann would "do a great job", he said, and was "energised to be stepping up" to moderate the debate.

"He's hosted a number of debates on Q + A and is absolutely plugged into this election," Gillespie said. "We're looking forward to bringing viewers a robust and informative debate."

The 90-minute multi party debate will see the smaller parties - potential coalition partners of the major two political parties - go head-to-head tomorrow night from 7pm on TVNZ 1 and livestreamed on 1 News Now. It will also be simulcast on Newstalk ZB.

1News political editor Corin Dann was "energised to be stepping up" at the last minute to moderate the debate, said TVNZ head of news and current affairs John Gillespie. Photo / Supplied