The leaders of the two main political parties have today been exchanging verbal blows.

The Labour leader says he's quite different from John Key and the public will get to know him well over the next couple of years.]

"We got a guy in the Prime Minister's Office, he thinks it's OK to be kind-of jokey, blokey, go-around pulling peoples' hair as part of his persona.

"Actually, you don't want a Prime Minister who thinks you just have this quirky personality. You want a Prime Minister who takes the office seriously and to deal with the issues of the day. This guy's not doing it."

The Prime Minister has come back with his own description of the Labour leader for saying failing to make a surplus is none of the biggest political deceptions of a lifetime.

"He is turning into Angry Andrew that just wants to turn and start making ridiculous comments.

"I mean, the guy just can't be taken seriously if he starts making those sorts of comments."