Editorial: The race for rural votes is on

But the perceived battle between the two Chrises - Chris (Hipkins) and Christopher (Luxon) - was a bit of a fizzer.

Only Labour and National leaders were invited to speak - the potential coalition partners and the gaggle of political nobodies were left off the programme. To have ACT there might have been something of an embarrassment anyway given former president Andrew Hoggard's defection to ACT.

Hipkins' speech saw him bask in the success of his recent China trade mission and the importance of trade agreements to NZ. He promised to make getting more of these a high priority. In relation to this he did emphasise the need for NZ to have strong environment credentials if it wants to get more such agreements.

His key message seemed to be that he wanted NZ to be the 'greatest little trading nation'.

There was certainly no hard-line talk about regulations, which he surely knew would raise the ire of the audience.

Luxon's pitch was one that he's given at just about every meeting he's attended in recent times and there was no sign of any new policy initiatives in the wind. Maybe a missed opportunity. But cutting red tape, the ute tax and stopping Wellington running rural NZ certainly resonated with farmers.

However, he continued his quest to get into the Guiness book of records for being the politician who has used the word 'outcomes' more than anyone else. Maybe he needs a new media coach or speech writer.

The question is, will speeches by the political leaders at such events influence voters and how accurate and important are the current polls anyway? Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger famously said "bugger the polls" when they showed he was behind Labour. He went on to win that election.