In the deep-blue electorate of Port Waikato, a fascinating contest is unfolding between two parties who will be working together in the next government.
The by-election is being contested by nine candidates with a clear favourite in National's Andrew Bayly, who has held the seat since 2014.
But he's facing a strong challenge from NZ First's Casey Costello, who has just been elected to Parliament at three on the party list.
Bayly told Q+A's Whena Owen that complacency is a worry for his campaign.
"It's doubly worse because people think I'm going to win, but unless they turn out and vote we don't know who's going to win right?"
The by-election is taking place because of the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen during the election campaign period.
ACT are not standing a candidate this time around, and nor are any of the other parties currently in Parliament.
One of the officially declared candidates – Scotty Bright from Democracy NZ – has stopped campaigning and is instead endorsing Costello.
"It's about Port Waikato being represented by the best party, and we think NZ First has the best ability to do that," said Bright.
Costello herself has had a range of roles over her life, working as both a police officer and security professional, as well as being involved in lobby groups Hobson's Pledge and the Taxpayer's Union.
She even spent a period running security for Parliament, making it a special moment to return as an MP.
"It's just so humbling, I feel so privileged to be in that position," said Costello.
Also standing in the seat is former National MP Alfred Ngaro, who now leads the NewZeal party.
After the by-election on November 25, the size of Parliament will rise to 123 MPs.
The Electoral Commission said on Friday that voting has been steady, with 3625 cast at that point, roughly on par with other recent by-elections which tend to have much lower turnouts than general elections.
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