Winston Peters says it is "just outrageous" for Mike Hosking to be hosting TVNZ's election debates.

NZ First leader Winston Peters is urging TVNZ to reconsider its decision to have "wholly unsuitable" Mike Hosking host its election debates.

The broadcaster confirmed Hosking would host all three of its televised election debates, as he did in 2014.

Peters told reporters it was "just outrageous" that TVNZ had picked Hosking to moderate its debates. He said Hosking could not be seen as a neutral moderator, suggesting he was biased.

Cameron Burnell/Stuff Winston Peters is urging TVNZ to reconsider letting Mike Hosking host the election debates. NZ First Leader Winston Peters Speaks at Victoria University

"There's no way that Mike Hosking can possibly be described as neutral. He's spent most of his time attacking one line of political thought and that means he should rule himself out," Peters said.

Peters also urged TVNZ to give minor parties, including his, a seat at the major debates with the Government and opposition leaders.

READ MORE:

* Mike Hosking responds to opposition leaders' criticisms of political bias

* John Key dismisses opposition leaders accusing Mike Hosking of 'political bias'

* Mike Hosking may be the only person in the world defending Donald Trump

SUPPLIED Mike Hosking will present TVNZ's election debates.

But Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said she wasn't concerned with Hosking moderating the debates.

"My focus isn't particularly on the moderators, it's on the opponent I'll be up against for the debate," she said.

Green leader James Shaw said he was "pretty comfortable" with Hosking in the chair and United Future's Peter Dunne said he "didn't care ... it's the politicians that matter in those debates".

Prime Minister Bill English agreed, saying it was "up to TVNZ", and his deputy Paula Bennett said Hosking wouldn't favour either side. "I think you can look at journalists and surmise where their politics might be and I don't think it's fair in this country....I don't think he favours one over the other," she said.

Former TVNZ head of news Bill Ralston poured scorn on Peter's statement, saying: "Every year, every election debate season, Winston throws a paddy about something."

He said that even if Hosking had biases, it wouldn't affect his ability to moderate the debate.

STUFF Bill Ralston says those attacking Mike Hosking are just attention seeking.

"He's really putting the same questions to both leaders, I wouldn't expect him to get argumentative," Ralston said.

TVNZ head of current affairs John Gillespie declined an interview but in a statement defended the decision, saying TVNZ was providing a range of perspectives across its election team. He promised no politician would be getting an easy run during the debates.

"Mike has skilfully and fairly moderated many Election debates for us over the years – this Election will be no different," Gillespie said.

SUPPLIED TVNZ head of news and current affairs John Gillespie is backing Mike Hosking.

Hosking would moderate two leaders debates on August 31 and September 20 with National leader Bill English and Labour leader Ardern. He would also host a further multi-party debate between the minor parties on September 8.

The election night special would also be fronted by Hosking, alongside Breakfast's Hilary Barry, Sunday's Jehan Casinader and 1News anchors Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie.

By Thursday afternoon, a petition to replace Hosking as the election moderator had already been launched. The petition had more than 2000 signatures only three hours after TVNZ made the announcement.

AUT journalism professor Wayne Hope said Hosking shouldn't moderate the debate because he regularly broadcast his personal opinions on matters political. He said objective reporters should be the only people moderating these debates. "Mike's more in the rent-a-quote category, he's not writing as a journalist," Hope said.

Hope said he supported Peters' call to include minor parties in the debates alongside Ardern and English.

The election night special would also be fronted by Hosking, alongside Breakfast's Hilary Barry, Sunday's Jehan Casinader and 1News anchors Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie.

The debates would be broadcast live on social media and on Newstalk ZB as well as TVNZ1, the statement said.

Breakfast co-host Jack Tame would present an online only young voters debate on September 14.

A change.org petition to TVNZ to remove Hosking as debate moderator had reached over 2,000 signatures by 1.30pm Thursday.

The Maori Party has been approached for comment.