Campaign diary: Stragglers culled in TV lineup

On the box

Most party leaders will be in Auckland tonight for the TV3 leaders' debate at 9.30pm. But the channel wanted five leaders only, so it culled the three lowest-polling parliamentary parties: the Progressive Coalition's Jim Anderton, United Future's Peter Dunne and the Alliance's Laila Harre. Tonight's encounter will be the first time Helen Clark has agreed to appear on television alongside Bill English.

Can we use it? Yes, we will

It seems New Zealand First's Winston Peters is making a habit of borrowing lines. Not only is he borrowing the mantra of children's book hero Bob the Builder in most speeches ("Can we fix it? Yes, we can"), he is now borrowing from his anti-hero, National president Michelle Boag. On his so-called debit card of Labour's hidden promises, he implores voters to "Help Us Stop the Rot", the theme Boag used for her presidential election campaign.

Not him, the other him

Piripi Haami, No 10 on the Mana Maori party list, is not to be confused with Haami Piripi, the Wellington-based chief executive of the Maori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri), who is not standing for Parliament. Mr Piripi of the commission says he was upbraided by his bosses for going to Fiji after the last coup, until it was pointed out that it was the other.

A clean protest

Ever been tempted to throw a rotten tomato at a politician? It is now possible to do so without getting arrested or hit up for a dry-cleaning bill, courtesy of an animated website game designed by Napier's Young Nats. All politicians are slated as sleazy sloths, even their own side. Michelle Boag, Bill English and Tony Ryall are among the targets. Napier-based list MP Anne Tolley agreed to give them the run of her site [www.annetolley.co.nz].

Where the leaders are:

* Helen Clark is in Auckland.

* Bill English is in Nelson.

* Jeanette Fitzsimons announces environment policy in Christchurch.

* Richard Prebble meets employment lawyers in Auckland.

* Winston Peters holds a public meeting on the North Shore (1pm, Baptist Church hall, Dodson Ave).

* Jim Anderton is in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

* Laila Harre is in Auckland.

* Peter Dunne is in Wellington.

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