Leaders ensure exposure

By Audrey Young

Auckland has seen Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark 15 times this election campaign.

King Country, Taranaki, Wanganui, Horowhenua and Wairarapa have not seen them at all. Every other region has had a visit from either the Prime Minister or Labour leader since the campaign kicked off on October 31.

With almost a third of the country's voters, Auckland has been the No 1 destination: Mrs Shipley seven times so far and Helen Clark eight times.

Wellington has seen Mrs Shipley four times and Helen Clark, six. Mrs Shipley's campaign tour has tracked as follows: Auckland, Wellington, Gisborne, Hamilton, Kerikeri, Whangarei, Auckland, Christchurch, West Coast, Auckland, Pukekohe, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Ashburton, Geraldine, Temuka, Timaru, Oamaru, Waiareka Junction, Enfield, Dunedin, Auckland, Tauranga, Katikati, Waihi, Whangamata, Thames, Porirua, Nelson, Hokitika, Greymouth, Wellington, Auckland, and Wellington.

Helen Clark's schedule has run like this: Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Whakatane, Kawerau, Rotorua, Wellington, Invercargill, Auckland, Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton, Mosgiel, Dunedin, Wellington, Blenheim, Auckland, Christchurch, Auckland, Havelock North, Hastings, Napier, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Taupo, Auckland, Wellington, Auckland, and Wellington.