The Prime Minister still has not announced a date for the general election but that has not stopped a phony campaign war getting underway.
In the capital all the candidates in the Wellington Central seat were on the hustings in a student flat.
A Wellington University student and his three flatmates wanted to meet the political candidates so they invited them over.
The lounge could hold only 30 or so people, and it soon filled up.
In a city interested in politics, the Wellington Central candidates will hold more campaign meetings than any others - this is only the start.
Labour holds Wellington Central with a big majority but National is ahead in the polls.
No date for the election has been announced yet, but the defacto campaigning has started - and do not be surprised to discover politicians coming to a neighbourhood near you. In fact, they will come into your house if you really want.
3 News