Mr Gower asked both leaders if they were prepared to change the current abortion law, which meant it was illegal for women to get an abortion in most circumstances.
Ms Ardern quickly said she would. It should not be in the Crimes Act.
She understood some people would not agree with her, but that was their right, as it was the right of other women to have legal abortions.
Mr English, a devout Catholic, said he was opposed to any change but if the issue came back to Parliament, it would be a conscience vote. He would vote no to any changes.
The surprise announcement from Mr English was his commitment to reducing child poverty by 100,000 in the next two to three years if National was re-elected.
In response, Ms Ardern wavered and looked indecisive. But Mr English did not accept there were 290,000 children regarded as living in poverty.
Ms Ardern had the classic comeback of ``you've had nine years to fix'' whatever Mr English announced he was going to do if re-elected.
However, Labour is still fudging its figures around tax and the prospect of a capital gains tax looms large.
When asked if she would rule out a capital gains tax on a bach, a boat or a farm, Ms Ardern again deferred to the working group on tax.
She did say she would take recommendations from the Treasury.
Mr English's best lines came from tax and finance and his best for the night came after Ms Ardern said the economy should be about the people.
``If you are that worried, why would you increase their taxes?'' he asked.
Later in the debate, Ms Ardern firmly told Mr English his claims about Labour putting up taxes and spending were ``so last century''.
Ms Ardern stumbled over how many tradespeople were needed to build the affordable homes Labour was promising.
Despite Messrs Gower and English insisting the construction industry was 56,000 short, Ms Ardern would not be shifted from the 5000 Labour previously announced as skilled immigrants being brought in to help with construction.
Ms Ardern was much better in the Newshub debate than she was in last week's One News debate. But so, too, was Mr English.
They were more prepared to go for each other's claims and attempt to talk over each other. Mr English easily won the talk-over contest.
The live audience of supporters of both leaders made for a more entertaining debate.
The difficulty for Mr English is fending off criticism of being a faded and jaded politician after so many years in Parliament and eight years of being finance minister before taking over from Sir John Key as prime minister.
Ms Ardern offers a fresh look that is proving popular for voters. Labour's policies are the same but are being sold differently.
She offered the best response when asked to tell New Zealanders her best attribute for being elected prime minister - ``generational change for New Zealand''.
Mr English was reminded he once led National to an historic defeat and Mr Gower asked him to tell New Zealand what had changed.
``I got up again,'' he said.
Free education was again brought up as a topic and Ms Ardern was asked why others should pay for free tertiary training for lawyers, doctors and dentists - people from wealthy families.
She replied it would also help people from working class families who wanted to be the next generation of plumbers and carpenters.
The next debate between the two leaders is on Thursday.
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Comments
Interesting assessment, not shared by some commentators. Bill English saying he would march in the streets to be PM was not great. A curve ball, because National people don't think in terms of public demonstrations.