Clark and Key snub TVNZ7

Helen Clark and John Key have brought the TVNZ7 show Leaders on 7 to an early end by both refusing to appear. The show consisted of one-on-one interviews with the political leaders and was hosted by Shane Taurima.

Clark and Key are saying that this decision was made due to both time restraints and the low audience numbers of the Freeview channel.

However, this is not a good look for Labour and National after they have already drawn much criticism for pulling out of the TV3 leaders debate. Also, Helen Clark's government put $79 million of funding into TVNZ's Freeview channels so to suggest that the channel isn't big enough for her to appear almost says that the funding was a waste and that her government is not committed to the digital television project.

Both the TVNZ7 interviews and the TV3 debate were supposed to screen tonight.

All the other political leaders have appeared on the TVNZ7 show. Tonight's episode will now be a highlight package of the interviews with the minor party leaders.