Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he's doing the responsible thing by isolating for five days after testing positive for COVID-19.
It comes after his Government in August scrapped all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including the seven-day isolation period.
But Hipkins, the incumbent Prime Minister and former COVID-19 Response Minister, has explained why he was isolating himself regardless - despite the election being less than a fortnight away.
"I'm still quite symptomatic at the moment," he told AM from his Auckland hotel.
"I do think [isolating] is the responsible thing to do. Getting out on the campaign trial right now and infecting a whole lot of other people with COVID-19 wouldn't exactly be the message that I'm wanting to send through the election campaign."
When asked by AM co-host Laura Tupou about Tuesday night's The Press leaders' debate, which Hipkins can't attend and has sparked a war of words between Labour and National, Hipkins said his party had offered Grant Robertson as an alternative.
"The National Party indicated that they weren't happy with that," Hipkins said.
While Labour accused National leader Christopher Luxon of pulling out of the debate, Luxon blasted those claims as "more misinformation".
"The debate isn't going ahead because Chris Hipkins has COVID and rescheduling during the last week of the campaign has proven impossible."
Hipkins said he was happy to debate Luxon "any day" after his isolation period had ended.
He told AM the ball was in the National Party's court.
"I think it's important that this goes ahead."
The pair has so far debated twice on television and were due to do so again next Thursday.
