National Party members have been in great spirits at their conference in Wellington, 16 weeks out from an election they believe will change the government.
The conservative faithful converged on the capital on Saturday for the party's largest gathering of an election year. After the wreckage of its 2020 election result, National has rebuilt its standing among New Zealanders to sit neck-and-neck in the polls with Labour.
The Party’s supporters are increasingly confident ahead of the election. (Source: 1News)
While the polls are tight, National has one huge advantage - money.
National netted $5.1 million in big donations last year, more than 12 times Labour's haul of $419,364. The funding is a record in New Zealand politics.
National leader Christopher Luxon said the party was also breaking records for donations below the disclosable threshold.
"I'm really proud of the fact we're also having record numbers of small donors," he said.
"It says to us, whether you're a small or a large donor, people understand that this country needs to change a direction and they want to get behind what we're doing."
The disparity continues this year.
National has banked 17 donations above the $20,000 threshold, worth more than $800,000, while Labour has declared $458,000, mostly from unions.
Labour is so concerned by the shortfall it is attempting to fundraise on the back of National's imposing totals.
In an email to supporters, Labour campaign manager Hayden Munro said the scenario was "what I was afraid of".
"The opposition are using their millions to bombard Kiwis with ads and their 'war chest' is in no danger of drying up," he said.
"We need to take action now or we're in real danger of being drowned out."
At the conference, president Sylvia Wood revealed National had been spending the funds on ads, staff and research.
Her annual report showed the party had almost doubled its full-time staff, hiring a campaign team well ahead of time and "procuring expert digital support".
Wood also gloated about a "cutting-edge canvassing technology" and a "significant paid media campaign" ahead of the campaign proper, when election spending caps kick in.
While the polls are tight, the mood was bright in Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre, where National deputy leader and finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis delivered the keynote address without mentioning Labour.
"We are not here to be negative and attack or to get dragged down," she said.
"It's about New Zealand.
"It's not about other political parties.
"It's about what National will do for New Zealand to fix the broken economy and get back on track."
Wills did however mention Australia, saying National "won't accept a future where being aspirational means moving to Australia".
"You can vote for policies that will push more and more of our kids to become citizens in Australia or for a National party that will fight to ensure this is a country our kids can live their dreams in," she said.
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