On the road with John Key and Phil Goff
Political journalists John and Andrea Hartevelt Vance spent the last day of the election campaign on the road with Labour, Phil Goff, as he traveled from Auckland Rotorua and national John Key, who was on the way to Wellington in the north.
17:35: It's true. That's it. After 973 km of Kiwi, 25 hours (with the toilet on board locked) and my body weight in all kinds of licorice, I am off the bus battle.
We've called in on Paraparaumu, Otaki and Palmerston North, Bulls, Whanganui, Hawera, Stratford, New Plymouth, Taupo, Rotorua, Cambridge, Hamilton, Manakau and finally Helensville.
Terrible Friday afternoon traffic meant the bus had to skip a visit to Henderson as the prime minister was due at a function in his electorate. (The second, ahem, diversion of this tour).
A large proportion of the hands shaken and photo snappers have been National party supporters encouraged out by local MPs and candidates. In itself this has been a remarkable part of the trip, watching the party machine - traditionally a Labour strength - swing into action.









