The second leaders' debate between Bill English and Jacinda Ardern fired up plenty of people on social media. RNZ rounds up the best reactions.
Jacinda Ardern and Bill English talk after the second leaders' debate. Photo: Supplied / Michael Bradley
Ms Ardern and Mr English went head to head tonight on the second leaders debate, a lively and fast paced affair moderated by TV3's Patrick Gower and watched by a live audience of "undecided voters".
A range of topics were covered - from lying politicians, cannabis and abortion law reform, to child poverty, homelessness and Donald Trump.
At home, New Zealanders took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the performance of both the politicians.
Members of the audience of "undecided voters" also got some attention:
Lots of MPs in the 'impartial' audience #decision17
— Jane Patterson (@janepatterson) September 4, 2017
Shout out to the guy in the audience behind Bill English doing the sign of the cross as soon as he strated to speak. #LeadersDebate
— Kirk Serpes (@KirkSerpes) September 4, 2017
There were a few stumbles from Mr English - including a mispronunciation of "gender gap":
— Eddy Dever (@EddyDever) September 4, 2017
But his eyes shone in his area of expertise.
Bill gets a glint in his eye when he talks finance like he's just downed a mint slice #Decision17
— Eli Matthewson (@EliMatthewson) September 4, 2017
While Ms Ardern ventured into National territory with some of her rhetoric:
Jacinda just raided "delivering for New Zealanders" territory how dare she
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasNZ) September 4, 2017
Across the political spectrum, feelings were mixed about who performed better overall, with National's Simon Bridges - unsurprisingly - questioning Ms Ardern's performance:
I'm no expert, but the PM is going to need some serious dry-cleaning after @jacindaardern has finished wiping that studio floor with him.
— Damian Christie (@damianchristie) September 4, 2017
Are you actually joking?
— Simon Bridges (@simonjbridges) September 4, 2017
The debate ended with a series of quick-fire questions covering topics including who they would knight, Pike River re-entry, and abortion and cannabis law reform.
Ms Ardern and Mr English were both asked what they would march in the streets for:
March in the street for?
— Mihingarangi Forbes (@Mihi_Forbes) September 4, 2017
English - Himself to run country
Ardern - Homelessness
