A chance to shine

The Newshub Leaders Debate tonight will give Prime Minister Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern a chance to shine.

Although some critics called last week’s One News debate flat, both leaders would have been getting the measure of each other and tonight should provide more sparks.

Ms Ardern will have, hopefully, learned that catch phrases such as "I’m very transparent" and talking about her values are not providing enough detail about how much Labour will spend on its policies, particularly on the water tax, higher tax for higher earners and the proposed capital gain taxes.

There are only so many times she can fluff those answers.

Mr English will need to take charge of any financial matters but  must appear to be more caring about homelessness and poverty, even if he does not believe either area is in a state of crisis.

He also needs to provide more anecdotes from the campaign trail, without getting caught out when fact-checked.

Newshub political editor Paddy Gower is reportedly planning to be more active and engaged than TVNZ1 host Mike Hosking, so watch for fireworks.

Labour has been carefully avoiding full costing of  its policies, preferring to talk about working parties and consulting.

National finance spokesman Steven Joyce was called out by Labour finance spokesman Grant Robertson last week on "show me the money", which Mr Joyce did.

If Messrs Gower and English can trip Ms Ardern up on numbers, the debate may head the way of Mr English.

The debate starts at 8.30pm.