National leader John Key and Labour leader Helen Clark have emerged from their latest television debate saying they are happy they got their points across.
The pair squared off on Monday 3 November on TV3, with the economy and coalition options the dominant themes.
Mr Key hit National's core messages - tax cuts, law and order and education.
He targeted Labour over its relationship with New Zealand First, saying Miss Clark was desperate to hold on to power.
He said the debate felt scrappy at times but he was happy with the way it was moderated, and it was up to New Zealanders to decide who won the debate.
Miss Clark returned repeatedly to her major campaign theme - trusted leadership in times of economic turmoil.
She said she considered herself in the prime of life and could offer strong and proven leadership.
She said Mr Key was rattled during the debate and National knew it was nowhere near the commanding win it thought it was going to get.
Miss Clark said she felt she got her points across and received a fair amount of time.
Responding to a question about whether people have got over her and Labour and want a change, Miss Clark said there had been great innovations under her leadership such as an incredibly low unemployment rate, interest-free student loans, Working for Families and KiwiSaver.
However, Mr Key said there had also been a record number of New Zealanders leaving the country, and he was offering a fresh approach.
In response to a comment that his front bench included 12 MPs who were part of former leader Don Brash's team, Mr Key said his Cabinet had not been defined yet.
He would not elaborate on who might go.
[audio:http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/mnr/2008/11/04/tv_3_leaders_debate[Listen to Nadine Chalmers-Ross on the debate on Morning Report
