KEY POINTS:
They love Auntie Helen in Manukau.
Labour leader Helen Clark spent the second-to-last day of the election campaign firming up support in one of New Zealand's youngest and most ethnically diverse communities.
People rushed to greet her, thrust their children towards her to say hello, took photos and asked for autographs in a 90-minute walkabout at Westfield Manukau City.
Accompanied by rugby league legends Stacey Jones and Wairangi Koopu, after National rolled out former All Blacks Michael Jones and Inga Tuigamala earlier in the week, Helen Clark was assured of a warm reception. The former Warriors spoke of wanting to come out for Helen Clark to say thanks for her support of league.
"She's a great ambassador for rugby league and I've received a lot of support from her over the years," said Koopu. "I've got a young family now and seen what she's done for young families and education and employment. I want security for them."
But Helen Clark's mantra of "two ticks for Labour" might not have got through to him though - he was still considering giving his electorate vote to the Maori Party.
For some it was a thrill just to be near the woman they were still determined to support. For others it was more than a photo opportunity. Lisa Reynolds of Waiuku took the chance to ask why her son's asthma medication, which cost her $380 every three months, wasn't subsidised.
"I've written to her before and not got a reply and I thought it was a good opportunity to ask."
Helen Clark's reply? Not everything can be subsidised so investigate options that are. Ms Reynolds said her 14-year-old son was with one of the country's top asthma specialists and that might not be an option.
"I know it's not the best place to be doing it though and I'd like to go into more detail with her."
In a stroke of timing on the Family Party's part, as the PM left the mall a large truck drove by, the driver calling out through a megaphone: "Vote Jerry Filipaina, vote the Family Party."
Then it was off to Amcor Kiwi Packaging where Helen Clark defended the anti-smacking bill, Labour's record on law and order and Winston Peters' inclusion in government - hammering home the message that a change of government would be a "huge jump into the unknown".
