While the most eagerly awaited conversation of the election was taking place, a mystery person may have been secretly listening.
A recording device was found on the Newmarket cafe table where National leader John Key showed his endorsement of Act's Epsom candidate, John Banks, by sitting down to a cup of tea.
When their conversation at Urban Cafe finished, a man claiming to be a freelance reporter for the Herald collected the device, which was in a small, dark bag beside the pair.
The Herald had no freelancers at the meeting.
Mr Banks said he was not bothered if he had been recorded because they were discussing "pretty bland stuff" - nothing that could be called a state secret.
