Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon have revealed what they admire about each other with each leader respecting the other's commitment to family.
The prime minister and leader of the Opposition have gone face-to-face in TVNZ's leaders' debate as Kiwis prepare to hit the voting booths next month.
During the debate, Hipkins gave Luxon a rare compliment.
"I really admire Chris's commitment to his family and I do genuinely respect that," Hipkins said.
"I think being in politics is hard on family and I respect the fact Chris continues to make time for his family and I think generally, being leader of the Opposition is a tough job, being prime minister is a tough job too and so people deserve credit for taking on those roles."
But, while he may respect Luxon, he does not trust him.
"I disagree with his prescription for New Zealand, and I don't trust him to be upfront and honest with New Zealanders about the implications of his policies, because if he was, he'd be releasing his secret costings," Hipkins said hitting out at National's foreign buyers policy," Hipkin said.
Meanwhile, Luxon had a similar sentiment when asked what he admires about the prime minister.
"I really respect Chris for taking on the job of prime minister. It's an incredibly tough job, it requires huge amounts of resilience and it's also one of the most extreme jobs in the country that you can do. I admire and respect anyone that can do that," Luxon said.
He also went on to say he admired the way Hipkins talked about his family when he took on the top job.
"I respect the great dad he is too," Luxon said.
However, when asked if he trusts Hipkins he did not give a clear yes or no.
"I am sure he's got good intentions, it's just we disagree on how to take the country forward. It doesn't make Chris a bad person, it's just we disagree on what's the best recipe for New Zealand," Luxon said.
Turning to themselves, the leaders were then asked what they believe is the quality they most deplore about themselves is.
"I am pretty hard-charging and pretty determined," Luxon said.
"I probably need to delegate more," Hipkins said.
