This week, the election battle has played out on the internet with social media sites awash with reaction to policy announcements and leader debates.
A photo of PM John Key as the new drink-driving ad ghost has gone viral in opposition to National's welfare policy. South Auckland's Alesana Epifania posted the photo on Twitter and commented: "High chance I'll cross the ditch with my NZ degree."
Dan Satherley tweeted about fresh-faced Green candidate Gareth Hughes. "I think I get the Nats' welfare policy now - it's all a ruse to get the Greens back to work when @GarethMP turns five." By contrast, Will Hine commented how old Key was looking. "John Key's wrinkles are quite pronounced. Goff been botoxing? These are the issues Guyon should [explore]."
Goff's Wikipedia page was vandalised on October 25, with an unknown user calling him a "stupid c***", while Hone Harawira's job was changed to "messing things up" on the site.
Meanwhile, American-born Kiwi blogger AmeriNZ expressed surprise over United Future's picks. "The candidate for the United Future Party in the North Shore electorate, Damian Light, is openly gay ... Gotta admit, I didn't see that one coming," he wrote.
