Delight in poll numbers depends on the party

Labour's Rawiri Wright said work still needed to be done on how the polls were conducted. Photo / APN

It's mixed reactions from Waiariki candidates on the latest polling results.

The Maori Television Reid Research showed if the election was held tomorrow, 50 per cent would vote for incumbent MP Te Ururoa Flavell, 21 per cent for Mana Movement's Annette Sykes, 17 per cent for Labour's Rawiri Wright and 2 per cent for NZ Independent Coalition's Pat Spellman.

The poll questioned 500 people in four weeks during July and August. It had an error margin of 4.38 per cent.

Mr Wright said work still needed to be done on how the polls were conducted.

"It's not a reflection on what we're hearing on the ground and 28 per cent of those on the roll don't have a landline," he said.

"A lot has happened in the last 16 days, a lot of stuff is happening even within the Mana party so we're not focused much on polls. I knew the results were going to be close between the three of us but I didn't know Te Ururoa would be so far ahead. But there is a mood for change out there and people are disillusioned with the relationship the Maori Party has with National."

Mr Wright, who is based in the Eastern Bay, said his campaign would continue as normal with a launch on Saturday in Opotiki to encourage young people to vote early. It will involve a kapa haka group voting then challenging another group to do the same.

Mr Spellman was "absolutely chuffed" with his result.

"I'm totally stoked because 2 per cent is better than 0. With the margin error, I could be sitting on 5 per cent," the Tauranga radio host said.

"I'm still cautiously optimistic about this election, my campaign is directed at everyone under 35 so I do question how many 18- to 28-year-olds took part [in the poll].

Mr Spellman said he has been active in his hometown visiting high schools, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and being active on social media.

"The fact is, though, Rawiri and Annette aren't as far apart [in polling] as what mainstream media think and it shows that second place, silver, is up for grabs."