KEY POINTS:
Helen Clark's log: 27-10-2008
Two huge events on the Maori calendar over the weekend took me to the heart of the East Cape and to the Far North.
More than 1000 people gathered at Te Poho O Rawiri Marae in Gisborne for the launch of Monty Soutar's book on the 28th Maori Battalion.
Black and white photos of fallen World War II soldiers, including Victoria Cross hero Te Moananui o Kiwa Ngarimu, were displayed on the front porch of the meeting house.
Monty has been working on the book for 14 years, and my officials in the Ministry of Culture and Heritage have also been closely involved in the project. It's a book that Sir Apirana Ngata first wanted written in 1946.
Monty travelled to Italy with me a few years ago for the official commemorations of the battle at Monte Cassino. His knowledge of the human stories behind the Maori Battalion left not a dry eye among those who heard them.
The following day at Otamatea Marae, east of Dargaville, hundreds more turned up for the annual hui of the Ratana Church bands. Otamatea was the home marae of Dobbie Paikea, the first MP from the Ratana-Labour alliance elected in the North, 70 years ago.
Flanked by Labour's Maori MPs and candidates, I launched the Maori Affairs policy at the marae. Included in the policy is a rock- solid commitment to support the right of Maori to determine the future of the Maori seats.
What to watch for today: We celebrate Labour Day!
Helen Clark
John Key's log: 27-10-2008
The election campaign trail is truly a diverse beast.
On Friday I was tasting the delights of fantastic whitebait patties in white bread at an eatery in Greymouth. This was in the middle of a visit to the West Coast where I received a great welcome from everyone I met.
Later in the day I flew back to Christchurch before mingling the next morning with a large crowd at the Rangiora A and P show.
In the afternoon I flew to Auckland to attend a Diwali celebration in West Auckland. After that I went to TVNZ to film an episode of Eye to Eye. It's all part and parcel of a day on the campaign trail.
Yesterday I had a number of media engagements in between attending another Diwali celebration in Wellington.
This was the third Diwali celebration I've attended in a week, and I have received a great reaction at all of them.
I get the feeling on the campaign trail that people are wanting a change, and the reaction I get at events such as the celebrations I attend with ethnic communities is no exception.
One of the things I've flagged this weekend are measures to temporarily help lower-income people through tough economic times should they be made unemployed.
I will be releasing details later this week but the aim is to help people through, should they be in the unfortunate position of losing their job.
Today I am campaigning in Auckland.
John Key
