KEY POINTS:
2.15pm: PM hopes for high turnout
Newstalk ZB reports PM Helen Clark is remaining optimistic she still has a chance of a fourth term.
Her first stop this morning was Manurewa Primary School, where she told staff Labour is in with a chance if undecided voters back her tomorrow.
The PM said she is hoping to boost the turnout of voters, particularly in South Auckland, which she believes will benefit Labour.
1.00pm: You can bet on it
Some serious wagers have been placed with Australian betting agency Centrebet in the lead-up to tomorrow's general election here.
A single punter yesterday wagered A$30,000 on the National party to win at $1.30 (for $1).
Another put up A$13,000 on John Key becoming our next Prime Minister at $1.25.
"National's odds have shortened up again since yesterday, and the Labour Party has blown out to its highest price", said a bookie from the agency.
CURRENT MARKET (Centrebet)
$5.00 Labour (out from $3.70)
$1.17 National (in from $1.28)
12.45pm: United Future pitches "moderating influence"
United Future is making a last minute play to be the moderating influence in a National-led Government.
The Party, along with ACT, is committed to form a partnership with National after election day tomorrow. Based on the latest opinion polls, the coalition bloc has a realistic chance of becoming the Government.
United Future leader Peter Dunne says one thing he has picked up on the campaign trail is a very strong fear of a National Government being dominated by ACT and Sir Roger Douglas.
11.30am: Cullen explains problems that need fixing
A Labour-led government would take an active role in promoting change in international financial markets, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.
He said the current crisis had a number of causes, and not all of them could be dealt with by improved regulation.
"Crucial changes can be made which should help make any future financial market disturbance less catastrophically destabilising than this one has been," he said in a statement.
10.30am: Winds of change
Political historian and former Labour party minister Dr Michael Bassett has been interviewed on Leighton Smith's show on Newstalk ZB today.
"I feel there is a definite momentum towards change, in people's minds", said Bassett.
He said the Barack Obama tidal wave of change that has swept through the US may well cause some ripples here.
"Helen Clark may end up wishing that our election had been held last weekend", quipped Bassett.
10.15am: Laws and order
Speaking on Michael Laws' radio show this morning, ACT leader Rodney Hide has reiterated his party's absolute opposition to the emissions trading scheme and the anti-smacking legislation.
Laws said rising crime appeared to be the main concern among his listeners this year.
In reply, Hide said that concern was the chief reason behind ACT's major law and order platforms of "zero tolerance" by police, "truth in sentencing" by the judiciary, and the "3 strikes and you're in (prison)" policy.
10.00am: Meeting the westies
Yesterday the Prime Minister was on a tour of the shopping malls of south Auckland, where she was treated like a triumphant returning monarch - today it's west Auckland on the itinerary.
Helen Clark will have walkabouts at St Lukes, Lynn Mall and Westfield Henderson.
9.10am: Polls, polls and more polls
National is poised to lead a centre-right government after tomorrow's election, with latest polls showing Labour's bid for a fourth term slipping away.
NZPA's rolling poll, an average of the last six surveys, gives National, ACT and United Future 64 seats.
The most Labour could muster with the Greens, the Progressive Party and the Maori party is 58 - a clear six seat majority for the centre-right in a Parliament of 122 MPs.
Two polls published today indicated poor results for Labour - Fairfax Media scores the main parties 49 per cent to 31 per cent, whilst the New Zealand Herald's one has the two at 47.9 per cent and 36.4 per cent.
8.10am: Key kicks off final day
National leader John Key has kicked off the final day of the election campaign with a rally and walkabout at Wellington railway station.
Key shook hands and chatted to commuters today, hammering home National's message to vote for change.
He was challenged by one young voter on National's plans to introduce a 90-day probation period for new workers, but received a cordial response from most others.
About 50 placard-bearing National supporters turned up to see the National Party leader.
The Wellington campaigning is part of a whistle-stop tour that has seen Key charter a plane to blitz eight towns and cities in the last two days of the campaign.
Key will fly into Palmerston North and New Plymouth today before ending up in Auckland where he will hit the malls and hold a series of rallies.
He will close his campaign with a rally in his Helensville electorate about 6pm.
- NZHERALD STAFF, with NZPA and NEWSTALK ZB
