Jacinda Ardern has spent the final day of campaigning for New Zealand's election by criss-crossing Auckland, visiting businesses, malls and cafes in the hope of maximising Labour's vote.
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Labour is a strong favourite for re-election on Saturday, as displayed in the last two polls of the campaign.
Both a Newshub-Reid Research poll released on Friday night and a TVNZ-Colmar Brunton poll on Thursday showed the same result: Ms Ardern's Labour, on 46 per cent, well ahead of National on 31 per cent.
Labour's numbers are softer but confirm a trend; for 11 straight polls by NZ's two major pollsters, Ms Ardern's party has been in an election-winning position.
Touring New Zealand over the last six weeks, Ms Ardern has received a rapturous welcome wherever she goes.
Beginning her final day on the trail at a West Auckland business, she visited two malls in South Auckland before stopping for a coffee in Onehunga and pushing on with a street walk.
Supported by singing and dancing Labour campaigners clad in red shirts, Ms Ardern's entourage couldn't be missed.
"We're out campaigning hard using every hour that we've got to make sure that we get that strong party vote for Labour, which will of course make both a strong mandate," she said.
Ms Ardern was joined on the final day by her partner Clarke Gayford, a rarity on the campaign trail.
"It's been a really long, long campaign. It really dragged out," Mr Gayford told AAP, reflecting a common sentiment in the community given the COVID-delayed poll.
"We get to prop her up each day, making sure she's eating her meals and keeping her from getting growly.
"The polls have been a great indication ... the proof will be in the final say tomorrow."
Ms Ardern finished her day with a white wine at an inner suburban pub with volunteers.
As of Thursday, 1.74 million Kiwis have already cast ballots, taking advantage of advance voting.
Another million are expected to vote on Saturday, when Ms Ardern will be able to put her feet up - as campaigning or reporting is banned under New Zealand's electoral laws.
Ms Ardern showed why she is favourite to win the election with a strong performance in the final leaders debate on TVNZ on Thursday night.
With confidence and good humour, the 40-year-old shaded conservative rival Judith Collins, who desperately needed to leave a strong impression in the final hours to swing the remaining undecided voters.
Ms Collins attacked Ms Ardern's record on child poverty and housing as less than her transformational promises.
However, Ms Ardern was sharper with her closing pitch, citing the need for stability in New Zealand's response to COVID, a sales job that's working with Kiwis.
Australian Associated Press
