Campaign Diary: 3 days to go

Compiled by Vernon Small

Outlook for Saturday


You know which way the wind is blowing when New Zealand's best political weathervane, Winston Peters, starts forecasting a Labour-led government. Peters was plugging for votes, presumably from wavering National supporters, to stop Labour's planned tax increases. But his prediction was one sign among many yesterday - more payout scandals at Winz and Contact Energy, another poll showing Jeanette Fitzsimons ahead in Coromandel (with Labour winning the party vote), Jenny Shipley ambushed at her posh cafe lunch by megaphone-waving students. Even Richard Prebble's "non-negotiable" demand for longer prison sentences proves Act is now fighting for itself, rather than the centre-right.


Stop it, I like it


The Greens have rumbled where their best publicity comes from and have sent National background information on their first 10 list candidates. Attacks on four and five on the list, Sue Bradford and Nandor Tanczos, have increased the Greens' vote to the extent that others may now have a chance of being elected, the party noted. So could National please help by expanding its campaign?


Party party, vote vote


Sniping continues between Labour and the Alliance over the all-important party vote. Still furious over Labour's slogan, "Only a party vote for Labour can change the Government," the Alliance is now endorsing Grey Power's split vote recommendation to its members. Which means a party vote for the Allaince, of course ...

WHAT THEY SAID


* "New Zealand voters are going to choose their future, not the Leader of the Opposition, who in desperation is trying to crown herself before the voters have even had their say." - Jenny Shipley accuses Helen Clark of overconfidence.

* "She is the sort of person who'd grow kitchen herbs in her own excrement." - David Lange suggests Jeanette Fitzsimons is too pure for National to attack.

WHERE THEY'LL BE


Winston Peters is in his home base of Tauranga; Richard Prebble campaigns in Wellington before a late flight to Auckland; Jenny Shipley is in Auckland preparing for the final leaders' debate on TV3; Jim Anderton campaigns in Auckland; Helen Clark is in Wellington and then Auckland for the TV3 debate; Jeanette Fitzsimons is in Christchurch for the close of the Greens' campaign.