Small party leaders culled from TV3 debate

Leaders of some smaller political parties will be culled from the line-up at TV3's pre-election debate.

While TVNZ has taken the safe approach of inviting the leaders of all eight parties in Parliament to one of its three debates, TV3 is leaving some out.

It is to restrict its debate to six parties, chosen on the basis of the next TV3 opinion poll.

Assuming National, Labour and New Zealand First top the poll, there will be only three spots left for the Maori Party's Tariana Turia, United Future's Peter Dunne, Act's Rodney Hide, the Progressives' Jim Anderton and the Greens' Jeanette Fitzsimons or Rod Donald.

TV3's Mark Jennings said space and time meant TV3 wanted only six parties at the table for a debate among the party leaders.

He admitted the technique could ruffle feathers.

He would not say exactly how the opinion poll would be used to decide which parties made it through, or when the poll would be broadcast.

Mr Hide described TV3's approach as "undemocratic", saying it did not recognise that Parliament was elected under MMP.

TV3 planned two debates, both hosted by John Campbell.

Mr Jennings said the first would include the leaders of the selected parties. The second would have Prime Minister Helen Clark and Opposition leader Don Brash, but Mr Jennings said the network reserved the right to include New Zealand First leader Winston Peters if it wished.

He expected the worm to be used in both debates, but was undecided on whether it would be seen live or screened later during a replay.

TVNZ's Bill Ralston said the network planned three debates, all hosted by One News political editor Mark Sainsbury.

The first of the campaign would feature Helen Clark and Dr Brash.

The second would pit the finance spokespeople of the parties against each other, and the third week would see all party leaders debate together.

He said invitations to the wider debates were sent to leaders of all eight parties in Parliament and the debates would go ahead with or without all the party leaders.

Kim Hill will also do one-on-one interviews with party leaders.

A spokesman for Helen Clark said debate invitations were landing thick and fast on the Prime Minister's desk. She had agreed in principle to the TV One and TV3 debates, but was still discussing the format they would take.

No decision had yet been made on debates on the smaller channels.

Smaller networks are also gearing up. Paul Holmes on Prime is aiming to have a debate between Helen Clark and Dr Brash, and a second one among all preferred Prime Ministers.

Maori TV intends to do one-on-one interviews with party leaders with presenter Wena Harawira, but had not confirmed whether it would have a debate.

Sky TV had not finalised its plans.