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Story: Media and politics

Leaders' debate, 2002

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The TVNZ leaders' election debate in 2002 was notable for its use of 'the worm' – a device that indicated on screen the audience's immediate reactions to the speeches. The leaders involved in the debate were Prime Minister Helen Clark (Labour), Leader of the Opposition Bill English (National), Jeanette Fitzsimons (Green), Winston Peters (New Zealand First), Richard Prebble (ACT), Jim Anderton (Progressive), Laila Harré (Alliance) and Peter Dunne (UnitedFuture). 

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TVNZ Television New Zealand

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How to cite this page

Kate McMillan, Media and politics – Journalists and politicians: an uneasy relationship, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/35758/leaders-debate-2002 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kate McMillan, published 23 May 2012.