Jacinda Ardern On Course to Win Big in New Zealand General Election

For history major David Coyle, it was enough to overcome disappointment with her failure to meet promises on issues such as housing affordability and reducing child poverty.

"This year's all about the Covid and she's done a pretty damn good job on that," he told AFP after Ardern's appearance at Wellington's Victoria University.

Read also: Uptick in New Zealand Covid-19 Cases amid Fresh Coronavirus Outbreaks

Geography student Alyssa Thomas said Jacinda Ardern, an adept user of social media, had earned the right to mingle with supporters ahead of Saturday's polls.

"Most of my friends follow her... I think she compares pretty well to (US President) Donald Trump at the moment, some of my friends are from America and they like her," Thomas said.

As Jacinda Ardern was being feted before adoring students, Collins was across town at a more modest meeting in a tiny suburban community centre attended by about 30 National Party faithful.

The combative 61-year-old, nicknamed "Crusher" for her hardline policies while police minister under a former government, has performed well in debates but so far failed to generate campaign momentum.

She took over in July as the National Party's fourth leader since the last election but is polling at 31 percent, 16 points down on the conservative party's support when it last won an election in 2014.

Collins has attacked border failures that likely led to the second wave of coronavirus infections in Auckland in August and argues the National Party is best placed to steer New Zealand through its economic crisis.

Chance of outright majority

However, the Auckland spike has now been eliminated and National's economic credibility was damaged when its proposed budget plan proved to be out by at least NZ$4.0 billion (US$2.7 billion).

"I never give up, I'm a fighter, always keep going and I'm utterly positive for our country, I've got a vision to sell," Collins said.

About 3.4 million people are registered to vote in the election, which was originally set for September 19 but delayed by the Auckland outbreak.

Labour currently holds power in coalition with the Greens and the New Zealand First party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who will struggle to remain in parliament.

Read also: Tokopedia User Puts Indonesian Parliament Building Up For Sale over Jobs Law