KEY POINTS:
It's been a taxing week for the main parties.
National was forced by the Government's gloomy economic forecast to scale back its tax cuts, although it is still offering $18 a week above Labour's cuts for average workers.
It also took a bite out of Labour's coveted KiwiSaver scheme, pledging to remove the Government tax credit and halve the percentage of workers' salaries that employers have to contribute to the scheme.
Labour announced an Auckland fuel levy to pay for rail electrification and improving ferry services and roads, as well as a plan to increase cardiac surgery rates and a code of practice for retirement homes.
Not to be outdone, National hit back with promises to reduce health bureaucracy and give doctors and nurses a louder voice.
The party announced a tough law and order policy to refuse parole to repeat violent offenders.
Meanwhile, the Green Party is calling for an independent review of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and tests on Chinese fruit and vegetables.
NZ First leader Winston Peters warned that "things could turn ugly" as the economic downturn puts pressure on public spending.
So he wooed the senior vote by promising to raise superannuation and broaden the benefits of the SuperGold Card.
