Election campaigns stepping up

Tauranga electorate candidates are stepping out as they step up their campaigns.

National party candidate and incumbent MP, Simon Bridges, is undertaking a grassroots campaigning method of door-knocking.

See video below of Simon Bridges door knocking in Pyes Pa.

SunLive shadowed Simon on his door knocking campaign in Pyes Pa on Tuesday.

Dealing with receptive, and some not-so-receptive people, is all part of the job, says Simon, who visits different Tauranga suburbs each week.

“This is the best way to talk to 50 voters in an hour. It is one of the most effective ways of keeping in touch with people, and you find that most people appreciate it.”

As the campaign progresses Simon says door knocking becomes more intense as people’s political feelings heighten.

“People here share the same concerns as wider New Zealand, but there are also provincial issues, there is Psa and the Rena.”

Pyes Pa resident and mother of two, Kylie Powell, appreciated the effort made to come and visit her at home and wanted to talk about the education system.

As a teacher for the Ministry of Education funded Footsteps programme, Kylie says when voting in this election she will be looking at what parties can offer early childhood educators.

Tauranga Boys’ College student Ryan Bentley has just turned 18 and is looking forward to voting for the first time on November 26.

“It’s really good to be able to meet candidates. I will definitely be voting, you know every vote counts and it doesn’t cost anything.”

Running for the second time as National candidate for the Tauranga electorate Simon says this election has a very different feel to the previous one.

“In the last election I was entirely unknown and it was a real battle to get myself into people’s consciousness. This time it is about leadership, making clear the benefits of what National is doing.”

Doctor Alan Simpson, a senior lecturer of Political Science at Waikato University, says candidates are faced with large electorates today and if they have not been identified, or have gained coverage in local media, door knocking is still the most successful way of making themselves known to electors.

In comparison to campaigning through social media like Facebook, Twitter and blog spaces, Dr Simpson says face-to-face canvassing is the best way for candidates to sell themselves.

“There are so many techniques, but each has its limitations. Where an MP has got out, and got themselves known – it has definitely worked in their favour.”

New Zealand First MP Brendan Horan says he is always on the go, attending community events and coaching children’s sports including flippa ball teams in Papamoa.

He also attended the Rena rally on Sunday afternoon and visited Melrose Retirement Village on Tuesday.

Brendan will be with Winston Peters in Red Square on Tuesday, November 15.

Labour candidate Deborah Mahuta-Coyle is spending today meeting with local businesses including Zespri and Huka pack, before visiting the Sikh community.