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People approached the main gate of the Christchurch City Hall for the debate by the leaders of the press and found prostrate bodies, crosses, protesters from Gloriavale and the sound of elephants trumpeting.
The trumpeting continued inside as the two political bosses went head-to-head in a contest to guide the pack into the future.
The debate was spirited and messy, with both leaders talking to each other and intervening, but still quite tame compared to the “hot mess in a train wreck” as the recent debate between US presidential contenders Joe Biden and Donald was described. Trump.
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Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins square off in The Press Leaders Debate. (Composite image)
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Labor leader Jacinda Ardern and national leader Judith Collins addressed a large amount of mostly good-natured venom in front of an audience that had come to see Ardern shine. She did not disappoint.
Collins waved as he took the stage from the right and warmed the audience by telling them that he had warned Ilam’s National Deputy Leader and MP, Gerry Brownlee, that he did not want any more public displays of affection from him towards The press.
Ardern received the biggest round of applause as she walked to the podium, with a man leaping to his feet as if he wanted to start a standing ovation even before the proceedings began.
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Judith Collins and Jacinda Ardern were out of line when it came to knowing the price of cow’s milk at the grocery store.
Collins got a bad mark early on by being falsely offended by Ardern’s “disrespect” for Samoa when Ardern disagreed that the small Pacific nation had shut down “a month before us.” It was a clumsy speech for the Samoa vote and was met with derision.
Moving on to Covid-19, Collins attacked the government’s border control errors, saying the closures would not have been necessary if better testing were implemented. Ardern replied that Collins lived in the land of dreams and was glad to hear his comment that National’s only plan was to put Brownlee in control of the border.
Ardern tormented Collins with “how much” and “what will be cut” calls when referring to National’s operating budget for services like education and healthcare. Collins described the Labor budget as “all borrowed money”, prompting Ardern to dig that “ours adds up.”
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
The force of the applause for Jacinda Ardern’s closing remarks mirrored the verdict of the crowd.
The leaders steadied themselves for a constructive discussion on tourism before Collins spoke about the Canterbury health deficit with Ardern adamant that Collins could not dismiss the health board deficits as an “inherited problem.”
Ardern made the best of the environmental debate by saying that she hadn’t seen National’s plan yet, and Collins’ strongest response was that “she brought the coal, we use gas.” The assembly heard that Ardern was driving a Hyundai electric vehicle while Collins was driving a gasoline-powered BMW.
The housing discussion generated enthusiasm, and Collins earned applause for saying that “Awakened” meant “people talking nonsense.” Ardern called it “extreme self-awareness.” The strength of the applause for Ardern’s closing remarks mirrored the verdict of the crowd.
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
Judith Collins warmed the audience by telling them that she had warned Gerry Brownlee that she did not want any more public displays of affection from him for The Press.
Christchurch retired John Newble found the discussion exciting and intense. He felt that Ardern won because he was clearer on the facts.
Jo Robinson and her friend Rachelle Reekers, both Collins supporters, felt both party leaders performed strongly. They felt that Ardern won on “slogans” and Collins won on infrastructure.
Marketing specialist James Richardson described the debate as “lively” and “fantastic.” He felt he didn’t learn much and is voting for Green.
Juliet Calder said the crowd seemed firmly behind Ardern and Collins hadn’t changed their mind.
New Brighton resident Matt Jones said Ardern was “a little smarter” and had “more substance” than Collins.
Stacy Squires / Stuff
Members of the audience watch the press leaders debate at the James Hay Theater in Christchurch.
