All bases covered... Leaders choose pizza while chewing over results

BILL English and Jacinda Ardern will be hoping for a pizza the action when it comes to forming the next Government.

In keeping with previous Prime Minister John Key, both Ardern and English will be chomping down on pizzas on election night.

Ardern plans to keep it local, ordering in from her neighbourhood pizzeria Francesca’s in Auckland’s Pt Chevalier.

‘‘I thought about advertising his services on my fence on the night; given people might be waiting outside,’’ she said.

Francesca’s owner Mia Sanino said Ardern has been in ‘‘a few times’’ to get pizza. ‘‘I remember the first time they made an order and it must have been a friend who came in and got it. They said ‘pick-up for Jacinda’ and I thought ‘there’s only one name like that’.’’

English, whose dalliance with using tinned spaghetti on homemade pizza was poked fun at, will also be ordering pizza in.

English hadn’t yet decided where he’ll get his pizza from – but Gusto at the Grand seems a strong contender, given that’s where he and his family will be.

Gusto offers three varieties on its pizza menu – but a spaghetti topping might have to be ordered specially considering English is standing by his controversial pick.

‘‘I was at Tommy Millions in Wellington the other night and one of the chefs, I won’t name him, said to me afterwards, ‘‘That spaghetti pizza tasted better than I thought it would,’’ he said.