National and Labour candidates for the Mt Albert by-election, supported by their leaders, braved rain to put up their hoardings today.
National list MP Melissa Lee and Prime Minister John Key were at a Mt Albert residence to put a hoarding up, with about 50 people in support.
Mr Key said National would give the campaign "everything we've got and see how it goes".
"We've got a great candidate ... we have to acknowledge it's been a Labour seat for 63 years, it was won six months ago by 7500 votes, we're under no illusions about the sort of fight we are up against."
Ms Lee said she was "feeling great" about the campaign, and had already started door knocking.
"We are in the rain and cold to meet the people in Mt Albert to see what they are concerned about," she said.
Residents were concerned about the same things the rest of New Zealand was, she said.
She believed law and order was a big issue for people in the area.
"As a victim of a home invasion myself I understand exactly how they feel. I want to feel safe in my own home and on the street."
Labour candidate David Shearer and leader Phil Goff were also out putting up hoardings this morning.
Mr Shearer wanted to "get them all up and make a real impact."
He had also been talking to the people of Mt Albert, and said he had been getting good feedback.
"The vibe has been really good."
He said the big issues for the electorate were the Waterview Connection motorway, the "super-city", which people didn't understand, and the economy. Mr Shearer said he did not believe crime was such a big issue, but people did want "strong, safe communities."
Mr Shearer's campaign would be "old fashioned", with a lot of door knocking, he said.
-NZPA
