Vote-chasing Key brings out the charm in Mana

Prime Minister John Key meets Koria Taana, 4, while campaigning for the Mana by-election in Porirua. Photo / Mark Mitchell

John Key seems to assume not only that every child and baby is ticklish, but that they want to be tickled.

You can't blame him for chasing every potential voter in Porirua and Whitby today through an endless flow of "How are ya?" and "Nice to see ya", but Key also helped himself to every possible hair-tousle and tummy-tickle for any child and infant within reach.

It reminiscent of a scene in The Simpsons Movie where the US Government, having lost its credibility, gets super-nice-guy and actor Tom Hanks to announce the destruction of the town of Springfield while gently rustling a boy's hair.

Not that Key is planning to destroy any cities, nor is National's Mana candidate Hekia Parata low on credibility. But she is the underdog - as National keeps reminding us - in the upcoming by-election and any help she can get to bridge the 6000-vote gap on Labour since the last election is gratefully received.

The Mana by-election is expected to be in November, after incumbent Mana MP Winnie Laban makes her valedictory speech on October 12 and resigns soon after.

Labour's candidate, former press secretary and television political reporter Kris Faafoi, will run against Parata, who stood unsuccessfully in the seat in 2008.

Today Key and Parata made the first in a series of outings to Mana, walking through Porirua North City Shopping Centre with smiles shining and hands outstretched.

Key sought to use his average-guy banter to full effect, waltzing into a hairdresser to make his presence felt.

"I usually vote Labour, but he's wonderful, a very ordinary guy and a bit of fun," gushed Kathy Pomeroy, who was having her hair done when Key sidled up to her.

Next to her, year 12 student Sasha Silva's hair looked more like an industrial design experiment. She was preparing for her school ball, but looked uneasy as Key stood behind her with a comb and some scissors to pose for a few photos.

In his drycleaning shop, National voter Steve Blitz talked about Transmission Gully, and Key assured him that the billions that went to cover South Canterbury Finance depositors would not further delay the highway project.

When asked what he thought of Parata, Blitz said she seemed nice but he would vote National whoever the candidate.

Earlier Key and Parata visited the Employment Hub, where Derick Mentz was impressed by Key's personable approach, but unimpressed with the Government's ability to create jobs; Mentz, a South African immigrant, works voluntarily but said he'd been looking for a pay check since 2001.

It wasn't all smooth sailing at the Early Childhood Education centre Mana Montessori either, where head of school Nicola Dickie said she wished there had been no funding cuts to ECE.

The centre had close to 100 per cent qualified staff, and would likely introduce a small fee for parents as it was not prepared to compromise the quality of their service.

But Ms Dickie stressed that she supported the Government's policy to fund up to 80 per cent of qualified staff - she just wished it didn't mean a funding cut.

Key mingled with the children and was given a picture of a love heart by 4-year-old Angelina Abery.

He showed his gratitude by giving her, and every other kid in the centre, a wee tickle.