Rowdy debate leaves TVNZ unshaken

TVNZ plans to have even larger crowds at its next two political debates, despite the hostile response to audience behaviour at its first leaders' square-off.

Zara Potts, TVNZ publicist for news and current affairs, said it fielded around 100 complaints about the audience after Monday night's show.

She said it was "a bit rowdy" but TVNZ still intended to have audiences at its next two debates - one among finance spokespeople and the final among the leaders of all parties in the last Parliament.

Each of the two debates would have even larger audiences than the first - the eight parties can invite seven supporters each, making up audiences of 56 people.

On Monday night Don Brash and Helen Clark each had 20 supporters.

"The benefits are they add some life and energy to proceedings," said Ms Potts. "An obvious con is if you have an over-exuberant audience, as we did the other night, it can detract from the event. In future we hope the audience will be a bit more respectful of the politicians and will ask that they be given a fair go without wild heckling and things.

"But we're not going to tell them to sit there like stuffed dummies."

One National supporter who was in the studio said they were asked to cheer but not to chant, shout out questions or do too much cat calling.

However, the heckling and jeering from both sides started almost as soon as the debate itself. "That's what happens when you put two opposing sides in a room," she said.

At the end, presenter Mark Sainsbury and head of news Bill Ralston thanked the group and said they were a great audience.

The party supporter said she later watched the debate on video and did not understand all the fuss.

"I could hear both [Brash and Clark] perfectly. I think it actually added atmosphere."

Mark Jennings, head of news at TV3, said it would have no studio audience at its debate between Clark and Brash on September 15.