Andrew Little has drawn a line in the sand. He has condemned the “blowhard” politics of Winston Peters, and has made it clear this election will not be fought on swinging - um - personalities.

Good. Because if there is one thing this campaign period could do without, it is hyperbole.

If there were any doubt we are indeed in an election year, consider the headline that the ‘Greens threaten to go nuclear’.

When I first read those headlines, I got a little excited. Finally, I thought. The Greens were open to exploring alternative sources of energy. Or perhaps they were going to unveil their secret weapon for the election: an actual nuclear weapon.

The headlines had deceived me. The Greens were only metaphorically going to blow things up, by threatening to force another election if they don’t win.

Given the range of other outcomes that now seem likely based on current polls, another election seems like one of the less nutty options.

I also got excited when The Opportunities Party (TOP) waxed lyrical about the importance of freedom, the wisdom of people to pursue their own goals and dreams, and that it is best for government to get out of the way.

Thank goodness. TOP have stopped treating New Zealanders like idiots who are too dense to understand the brilliance of their tax policy. Except again, I was getting ahead of myself.

TOP still talk about the merits of a junk food tax, believing that people do not have the wisdom to make their own eating choices. So, good luck if your idea of the good life is to eat delicious food at an affordable price. Ditto if you want affordable booze and are under the age of 20. The good life is best enjoyed sober, apparently.

And as for low-skilled immigrants who wish to better their lives in New Zealand, TOP is happy to show them the door. The freedom to chase your dreams isn’t for ‘glorified dishwashers’.

Luckily, some exaggerations are easier to spot. Like the ACT Party claiming that 90 percent of New Zealanders would find their welfare policy uncontroversial. Not to be cynical, but I think they may be stretching the truth a little.

I cannot think of anything that 90 percent of New Zealanders would agree on.

Although the nation probably came close to a consensus during that All Blacks versus Lions game we will never speak of again.