Armed with pages and pages of hoarding hosts, no fence corner is left unnoticed, driving around looking at fences and street corners, eyes peeled for the best spot, to get the Labour signs out. I have to say the hoardings look awesome – a big well done to Andrew Kirton and his team at our Head Office.

Some people smile and wave. Others toot their horn. Some even look at the signs like they have stood in dog poo! For those who are happy to put up a hoarding, they are pleased to help in someway, and I’m grateful for any opportunity to paint the town red!

I can remember in 2014, down in Amberley, NZ First had put up a hoarding on a fence and I knocked on the door and asked if householder if she would like a Labour sign up. She thought it would be a good idea. NZ First’s theme was “its common sense” with an arrow pointing to the right. I stuck my hoarding up on the right hand side, so it read, “it’s common sense vote Labour, Janette Walker”. Locals found it funny, although the NZ First candidate didn’t…

Another guy I met in 2014 had great pleasure in telling me every morning first thing he went to the loo and he could look out his window and see my smiling face. It made his day.

Someone else asked if he could keep a hoarding and he stuck it up in his bedroom, poor guy, he still has it! The mind boggles.

On a more serious note in a world where image is everything, I do find it strange that female candidates have to look soft, male candidates have to look strong and politics is becoming more about style than substance.

After the 2014 election I was asked the question: why did I think people re-elected a National government? My answer was pretty short, “people aren’t poor enough yet”. Another three years of National and we will see a change in 2017. It is time to change the government! Roll on September 23rd 2017.