We’re all ears but no magic rabbits left

National and Labour have started their closing arguments in the ultimate court room of public opinion - and they’re both starting to sound quite similar.

Both parties say a vote for the other is a risky choice, and both say a vote for them is the only way to move New Zealand forward.

Is it me, or is the campaign suffering a bit of fatigue?

Not fatigue so much as a clear move from both parties to slow down the rate of announcements and fight the closing battle on credibility.

There’s unlikely to be any magic rabbits pulled from the hat in the campaign’s dying days. The money from both sides is all but spent and any move to buy votes now would have to be so huge that the cynicism of it could be overlooked.

It’s hard to see that happening.

So both parties have taken to packaging up their previous releases into easy-to-read plans. That allows them to reinforce the messages and try to steer discussion to the areas they want voters to take to the ballot box if they haven’t cast their vote already.

What did National focus on yesterday?

The economy - it’s National’s bread and butter. Party leader Bill English visited nearly every supermarket and factory in Blenheim yesterday and his message was simple: ‘‘Today we’re setting out that choice so New Zealanders can see the difference. We’ll be focused on skills, trade, infrastructure, jobs, a fair industrial relations system.

‘‘Labour, on the other hand, would put a handbrake on growth; increasing taxes including what now looks like an inevitable capital gains tax and land tax even if it’s postponed for a while.’’

And what did Labour want to push?

It has a story to tell on health - and from a GP clinic in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, leader Jacinda Ardern released what Labour is calling ‘‘National’s Health Report Card’’.

Unsurprisingly, it’s not glowing. The party says GP fees have gone up 32 per cent under National, 58,000 Kiwis were denied a specialist appointment last year and one in five cancer patients waited more than eight weeks for treatment.

Ardern said every day there are new stories of hardworking doctors and nurses who can’t keep up with demand, overflowing hospitals, and New Zealanders are missing out on the care they need.

Labour has taken some flak over its fiscal plan, and whether there is enough money for it to deal with any unforseen circumstances, if elected. But that’s partly because Labour has promised to invest big-time in health and education.

What of the jet fuel leak causing problems at Auckland Airport?

It may affect the campaign trail yet, but the impact on travellers is getting worse, with Air New Zealand cancelling even more flights and taking the unusual step of restricting ticket sales.

Government staff have been grounded on all non-essential travel to keep the flights clear for the public (these are the public servants that still have to keep the country ticking over).

Meanwhile, the government is in daily briefings with the oil companies involved to get the aviation fuel pipe fixed as soon as possible, and find largescale alternatives to shipping the fuel around the country.