Campaign diary: Even the PM needs a few pointers

No show without Brian

Spotted entering the Beehive yesterday: Media trainers Brian Edwards and Judy Callingham, presumably to coach Helen Clark ahead of her appearance on the Holmes leaders' debate last night.

The early bird

Act had its excuses ready in case TVNZ's Worm gave Richard Prebble a poor rating in last night's Holmes leaders' debate. The Worm was controlled by a sample of undecided voters. In its weekly newsletter, Act claimed that most undecided voters were ex-Alliance and hated Act, "so Richard Prebble is at a bit of a disadvantage".

Credit where credit's due

At yet another press conference called over the secondary teachers' pay dispute, Education Minister Trevor Mallard briefly tried to don his other hat as Sports Minister by asking if there were any questions about the All Blacks and All Whites winning over their Australian counterparts at the weekend. There were no takers for Mallard's attempt at a tasty campaign soundbite.

Shipley painting, no match

A Jenny Shipley original artwork ... yes with her signature on it ... has gone under the hammer for $6000. The painting of Auckland city and harbour was sold at a fundraising auction and dinner for National's Auckland Central hopeful Pansy Wong. She reports that the successful bidders promised not to burn it. What can she be referring to?

What's on the box

Helen Clark gets her hour in Sky TV's hot seat tonight at 8.30pm. The programme, fronted by Bill Ralston, is expected to focus on economic issues and how Labour would form a Government after the election.

Where the leaders are:

Helen Clark campaigns in Auckland.

Bill English is in Wellington.

Jeanette Fitzsimons is in Wellington; colleague Rod Donald campaigns in Christchurch.

Winston Peters visits Nelson.

Richard Prebble is in Dunedin.

Jim Anderton is in Wellington.

Laila Harre is at Victoria University.