It may have been the longest running 'phony' election campaign in New Zealand's history, but all pretence is to end
shortly, when National starts campaigning in earnest next week.
While the reality may be that every party in the country has been on the campaign trail since the collapse of the New
Zealand First/National coalition, the gloves officially come off next week for the National party.
What National party members are calling a 'campaign build-up', begins with a three week long billboard campaign to tie
in with the annual conference.
Advertising screens are being hired on commuter routes in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They will promote what
is being called the conference slogan - not the election slogan - A better tomorrow starts today.
Workers are talking about a four month long build-up campaign leading to a four week campaign proper in November. Though
no election date has yet been announced and is unlikely to be for some time, this planning would lead to an election
date on November 28 or December 5.