John Key take heart. If the general election was held at Otumoetai College today, and if the electorate was made up of 13 and 14-year-olds, National would probably return – but couldn't govern on its own.

This afternoon SunLive held a strawpoll, a sort of teenage litmus test, of randomly selected students at the Decile 8 school after they had completed a recent social studies assignment on the election.

Conservative voter Becky Dougherty.

National voters James Beard, Richard Aldridge, Nicole Cameron, and Chelsea Sole.

And while they aren't enfranchised, they hold deep thoughts and feelings about the country's parties and candidates.

'I just know I wouldn't vote for Internet Mana. And that's how my family feels” says 13-year-old Nicole Cameron.

'And I wouldn't vote for Winston Peters after his racist Asian joke. He's not the sort of person we need in Parliament” says Richard Aldridge.

SunLive spoke to six students. We transported them and the current pool of party leaders forward in time to 2020 when they will vote for the first time.

We sensed it would be a personality rather than policy vote for most of them.

Liam Miller would vote Greens and then Labour.

Here's the results:

Chelsea Sole, 14: National.

'John Key got us out of one financial crisis. If there was another we could count on him.”

Nicole Cameron, 13: undecided.

'Probably National, possibly Conservative”

Becky Dougherty, 13: Conservative.

'I am a Christian and the Conservatives have good values and beliefs. John Key is a nice person too.”

Liam Miller, 14: Greens.

'I like the Greens' strong environment policy. National claims we are 100 per cent pure when I know we are not. And Russell Norman is not afraid to speak his mind about the Government.”

Richard Aldridge, 14: undecided.

'I am leaning towards National but I don't have a strong opinion. But I do have a strong opinion about Winston Peters. He seems odd.”

James Beard, 14: National.

'John Key is a well-rounded person and a good guy. He's had a lot of problems like the Christchurch earthquakes and he has handled it well. The country can trust him.”

But the recognition factor for some of the party leaders would be problematic for them at the polls.

We showed them pictures of the party leaders, and everyone immediately recognised John Key, David Cunliffe, Winston Peters and Hone Harawira.

Three of our six students recognised Act's Jamie Whyte, but only one could name him.

Two didn't know Peter Dunne.

Te Ururoa Flavell has held the Waiariki seat since 2005. Some thought they recognised him but no-one could name him.

'Is it Flavell? asked Chelsea, after being prompted.

They all knew Colin Craig of the Conservative Party but Greens co-leader Metiria Turei was a complete mystery. No-one could identify her or her party affiliation.

So in Tauranga, in this bastion of conservatism, the Government seems safe on election eve, at least among the teenage electorate.

And they have a message for the over 18s: get out and vote tomorrow because it's important.