KEY POINTS:
The main rivals for the role of Prime Minister aren't just divided by policy.
A poll of party leaders' musical tastes revealed Helen Clark and John Key choose very different tunes to relax to.
Key may boost his street cred with support for New Zealand hip hoppers Nesian Mystik and pop rockers Op Shop, not to mention ownership of an iPod Nano.
Clark is more traditional, favouring classical and opera, and preferring her "extensive collections" of opera and classical CDs to an MP3 player.
Key was top of the pops when it came to cutting-edge music - his rivals from the minor parties were more comfortable with older acts such as Glenn Miller, Buddy Holly and Beatles contemporary turned Blind Date host Cilla Black.
But he admitted his tilt for the top of the cool charts was undone by the amount of Abba on his iPod playlist, and was stumped when asked the name of his favourite Op Shop track.
"You, know, their big hit... hmm... well I don't know them by name, I just know what I like to listen to."
He told the Herald on Sunday he was suitably impressed to meet Kiwi crooner Hollie Smith, while Brooke Fraser also suited his "easy listening" tastes.
Not to be outdone, Prime Minister Clark said her favourite Kiwi artist was R&B act Adeaze, but there was no hiding her love for more traditional forms of music.
Act leader Rodney Hide said he was a Cilla Black, Elvis Presley kind of man but revealed the Rolling Stones motivated him to slim down at the gym, at least until his iPod broke.
The Epsom MP said he used to love listening to music, but now prefers silence - "it's easier to think".
Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon hit the right note while driving.
She was a fan of Kiwi composer Gareth Farr, while her son Jeremy, a professional marimba player, was her favourite Kiwi artist.
United Future leader Peter Dunne, the only other leader with a working MP3 player, enjoyed blasting out big band music and rock and roll from the 40s and 50s, much to his family's annoyance.
He was also partial to Kiwi popera sensation Hayley Westenra but said if he wanted something "modern" he couldn't go past the Beatles.
Progressive Party kingpin Jim Anderton said he listened to an eclectic mix spanning generations and genres including Elton John, Supertramp and his opera-singing daughter Jillian.
While many years ago he used to sing in a band ("badly") and play guitar he said he'd never heard of techno but "I know what hip hop is".
MUSICAL TASTES
Helen Clark, Labour
Listens to: Classical music and opera.
Dub, hip hop or techno? "I would listen to opera."
Favourite Kiwi artist: Adeaze.
Peter Dunne, United Future:
Listens to: Big bands of the 40s, Buddy Holly, Glenn Miller, Julie London, the Beatles.
Favourite Kiwi artist: Hayley Westenra, Dave Dobbyn.
Dub, hip hop or techno: Hip hop "but not with any great enthusiasm".
Jeanette Fitzsimons, Greens
Favourite Kiwi artist: Son Jeremy, a professional marimba player, or his mate Gareth Farr.
Dub, hip hop or techno: Dub.
Rodney Hide, Act:
Listens to: Elvis Presley, Cilla Black, Rolling Stones.
Dub, hip hop or techno: "Silence".
John Key, National:
Favourite Kiwi artist: Op Shop, Hollie Smith, Brooke Fraser.
Dub, hip hop or techno: Hip hop - likes Nesian Mystik.
Jim Anderton, Progressive Party
Listens to: "Everything" including Beatles, Rolling Stones, orchestral music, John Denver.
Favourite Kiwi artist: Jillian Anderton, his opera singer daughter, and Split Enz.
Dub, hip hop or techno: "None. What's techno?"
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples did not return calls and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters declined to take part.
