Things to remember about Clark and Brash

Image / Andrew Louis, Paul Estcourt

As Helen Clark and Don Brash battle it out in the last days of the election campaign, below is a selection of some of the more memorable things about the two leaders.

Helen Clark, Labour party leader

* That motorcade.

* Visited the US and was assured by Colin Powell NZ is "a very, very, very good friend", though not an ally.

* Signed a painting she didn't paint.

* David Lange said of her she was "so dry she's combustible".

* Microwaves half-drunk cups of tea. Doesn't own a dishwasher.

* Stared down the Israelis over the Mossad passport affair until they apologised.

* Sacked her own husband when as Minister of Health in 1989 she got rid of the entire Auckland Area Health Board. And didn't tell him early over the cornflakes.

* Was a political science junior lecturer before entering politics.

* Met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

* Called John Campbell a "little creep" in the Corngate affair.

* Likes to commemorate New Zealand's war dead - Anzac Cove, Korea, the Somme.

* Has been in Parliament since 1981.

* Has apologised to various groups for maltreatment in the past - Chinese immigrant workers, Samoans and gays.

* Has had issues at Waitangi: Titewhai, tears.

* Great grasp of policy detail.

* Was second leader on the calling card for new Chinese President Hu Jintao.

* Voted for Civil Unions.

* Has attended five Apec conferences and has the national costumes to prove it.

* Keen on cross-country skiing, mountain climbing and tramping, she has climbed mountains all over New Zealand and the Andes, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

* * *

Don Brash, National Party leader

* Scholarly intellect: PhD in economics from Australian National University.

* Washed his socks in hotel bathrooms when on business.

* 14 years as Reserve Bank Governor. His signature is on our banknotes to prove it.

* Said he couldn't attack Helen Clark in a TV debate because she was a woman.

* Ate corned beef, peas and KFC for three years after splitting from his wife.

* Can't say specifically if he told US senators anti-nuclear law would be 'gone by lunchtime'.

* Good record as Reserve Bank Governor in beating inflation.

* Has failed twice to win an electorate seat for National. Now he's on the list.

* Wants one law for all.

* Hit by mud at Waitangi 2004 when he turned up to say that.

* Presbyterian minister's son who no longer believes in the Almighty.

* Voted for prostitution reform

* Did you know his wife is from Singapore?

* Probably the world's most ungainly Speedway driver.

* 1999 won the NZIER/Qantas "Economist of the Year" award.

* Used to vacuum his garage.

* He becomes eligible for national superannuation next week.

* Wants to appeal to mainstream New Zealanders but not always certain who they are.