Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo / APN
The two front-runners for the Waiariki seat say there are no hard feelings as they battle for the crucial electorate that could determine any Maori political gains.
But there is an underlying sense that the feeling between the two is far from amicable, and their fight has at times been a bitter one.
The Mana Party's Annette Sykes is looking to end the stranglehold the Maori Party's Te Ururoa Flavell has had on the seat since 2005.
A former school principal, Mr Flavell has had his majority eroded by his former strategist and ally Ms Sykes, who is now among the most vocal of his critics and the greatest threat after the pair fell out over the Maori Party's perceived relationship with the National Government.
Mr Flavell, who says employment and education issues top the party's to-do list, says there have been gains by being at the table with National and doubts whether Internet-Mana could achieve the same results if it makes it to government.
"It's the only way you can make gains and it's no different for any minor party that has been in government, whether it be United Future, NZ First or Act. The commitment to things that we might label as Maori gains has come about because of our ability to influence that change, and Whanau Ora is a major change in the delivery of social services - you can't get any bigger than that."
But Ms Sykes says that despite the Maori Party lauding its "at the table" approach, the reality and outcomes for Maori have actually worsened.
She points to the recent closure of the Tachikawa sawmill in Rotorua, when dozens of mainly young men lost their jobs.
"I don't think the relationship between the Maori Party and National is a betrayal but there is more a growing realisation among Maori that it's been a waste of time.
"If you look at the last six years, we are much worse off. Unemployment for young Maori men is now at 24 per cent in Rotorua and despite all the Whanau Ora programmes in the world or the different programmes in prison, that fundamental reality remains that young productive men are not actually finding work."
Ms Sykes says the Mana Party is now more organised, with more branches, volunteers and financial contributions.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.