Many residents polled were keen to give Mr Scott their vote without being entirely familiar with him or his policies.
A change to the seat's northern boundary which saw the Central Hawke's Bay towns Waipawa and Waipukurau included from 2007, had also confused some Waipawa and Waipukurau residents, who believed they were still in the neighbouring Tukituki electorate.
In the main centres, people are determined to sweep out encroaching tumbleweeds, and there's a feeling that what's good for farmers is good for the towns.
Food for Thought Organics owner Tony Ebbett said he believed the dam would have run-on economic effects; the boost to farmers would improve business in Waipukurau.
"Droughts can be horrendous in Hawke's Bay and we're still suffering from the last one. When farmers suffer, the town suffers. We're lucky, we still get business, but there are a couple of empty shops here on the main street, it's not good."
Waipukurau Maori warden Alan Bayliss also said "yes to the dam".
" It's for the future of our kids. I'm for it as long as water quality isn't affected."
Mr Bayliss was the only resident to mention water quality in relation to the dam. Concerns about the possible environmental impact of the initiative are more plentiful the further one travels from Central Hawke's Bay in the area itself, the benefits seem to outweigh the costs, which are seldom mentioned.
In the shadow of the Ruahine Range, which hangs like storm clouds over Dannevirke, there's a feeling residents, mostly elderly and wrapped in heavy coats, are "soldiering on". Dannevirke is, like Waipukurau, afflicted with empty shops. Some residents mourn the closure of the Dannevirke Postie store last month, which cost four jobs. There's as many pro-dam voters here as in Waipukurau. Dannevirke local Martin Hope shares Mr Ebbett's sentiment.
"This is a farming town. When the farmers are good, there's a bit of spending. Lower and middle income earners here are really struggling."
The trend continues in Waipawa, which should be given the title "Hawke's Bay's friendliest town." Here, a chorus of pharmacy staff tells me business is still hurt by drought. Are they pro- or anti-dam? "Pro," they say in unison.
Voters from these towns are also concerned about foreign land sales. Waipukurau wool store manager Grant Irwin, who knows a thing or two about farming, said he believed land ownership in New Zealand was the biggest election issue this year. He was opposed to the $70 million sale of Lochinver Station to a Chinese company.
Mr Irwin planned to split his vote, with a tick going to National Wairarapa candidate Alastair Scott and a party vote to the Conservative Party.
"I like a lot of the things the Conservatives are standing for, but I think Alastair Scott is a reasonable local candidate. I'd like to see the Conservatives get over five per cent."
People opposed to foreign land sales were likely to vote for the Conservative Party or NZ First, which are taking a hard line on the issue. The Conservatives received more votes in Wairarapa than the other electorates polled. Some believed the party was a better voice for rural communities, or more aligned with their principles than National.
Few election requests were as simple as the one from Ormondville mother Mechelle Parkes. She wanted, above all else, to see Matamau's Whakaruatapu Bridge made safer. Work is due to begin this year on the bridge, which is unpopular among Central Hawke's Bay residents. Ms Parke's husband is a long-haul truck driver, and she's worried sick about him driving over the bridge on a regular basis.
A number of Labour voters had also decided to change their vote citing doubts about Labour leader David Cunliffe or fears about a possible coalition with the internet Mana Party.
Waipukurau shop assistant Jason Booth said he couldn't vote Labour because he didn't want MANA, the internet Party and "all those other clowns" to get into Parliament. A potential coalition between Labour, the Greens and internet Mana was variously denigrated described as "a pack of mongrels," or in terms which defy print. In this electorate, Mr Dotcom is something of an antichrist.
Dannevirke barber Maria Edwards said she had been voting for 40 years, but this was the first election she couldn't decide. "I just don't think Cunliffe is strong enough, and I honestly believe the line between the rich and the poor has increased."
Wairarapa electorate
• Total voters polled: 75
• This unscientific poll is of decided voters. 38 per cent of respondents were undecided.
• Percentages have been rounded up or down one decimal point.
How they fared:
Alastair Scott (National): 51
Kieran McAnulty (Labour): 22
John Hart (Green): 1
Brent Reid (Conservative): 0
Ron Mark (NZ First): 1
Party Votes
National: 40
Labour: 16
NZ First: 9
Conservative: 8
Green: 2
Act: 0
United future: 0
Maori: 0
Internet Mana: 0
• Wairarapa Maori Party candidate Ra Smith was announced as a candidate after this poll was conducted.
One-man poll series:
Today: Wairarapa electorate
Tomorrow: Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate
