NATIONAL BUSINESS REVIEW: Prime Minister Helen Clark was kissed, hugged and given flowers as she walked through Upper Hutt town centre today but one man who shook her hand was no longer a fan.
The 76-year-old local man was just going in to cast a special vote when Miss Clark stopped to greet him.
"I'm a lifetime Labour supporter," he told NZPA.
"But I'm not doing it this time. I think nine years is long enough for anyone to be in power. I haven't got much truck with National but I'm disillusioned with Labour."
His key problem was legislation to stop the use of force against children, known as the anti-smacking law, a Green Party bill.
That time for a change view and opposition to state involvement in private life are key barriers for Labour. However, that was not the response from the dozens of people who greeted Miss Clark on the main street.
The walk started with a woman offering Miss Clark a bouquet and she soon received another colourful bunch and a long-stemmed single red rose.
She signed autographs and posed for photographs.
A young man patted her on the back saying "good luck mate" while an older gentleman suggested; "when you go in on the ninth to resume your office say `I did it my way'." John Rowles sang that at the campaign launch of New Zealand First which the man clearly was not voting for.
A middle aged woman challenged Miss Clark, saying she did not always tell the truth and signed someone else's painting, but Miss Clark smiled and walked on.
Most people were pleased to see her and one woman who was driving by called out "yay Aunty Helen" before continuing on her way.
At the end of her walk Miss Clark said the feedback on the ground had been overwhelmingly positive.
"I walk along the street today constantly greeted by complete strangers who say `good luck, we're with you, we've already voted,' sure you'll get the odd person who doesn't feel like that, but overwhelmingly it's been very positive."
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