Photo: RNZ
Leaders of four smaller parties faced off in a 1News Multi-Party Debate this evening.
They were Green's James Shaw, ACT's David Seymour, NZ First's Winston Peters and Te Pāti Māori's Rawiri Waititi.
The latest 1News-Verian poll released on Wednesday saw Greens steady on 13 percent, ACT down 2 points to 10 percent, NZ First steady on 6 percent and Te Pāti Māori steady on 2 percent.
The poll suggests National and ACT will need to call on NZ First if they are to form the next government.
Here is how those debating ranked in the preferred prime minister stakes; Winston Peters on 4 percent, David Seymour on 3 percent, James Shaw on 2 percent and Rawiri Waititi on 1 percent.
Recap the day's political news with RNZ's blog below: