The byelection is happening because incumbent MP and former National Party leader Bridges announced his resignation from Parliament in March.
National MP Simon Bridges during his last media conference at Parliament on May 4. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Shortly after launching his campaign, Uffindell said he was aspirational for Tauranga and wanted it to remain one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.
"People in Tauranga are sick of sitting in traffic caused by poor roading infrastructure and are finding it harder to get ahead due to the cost-of-living crisis," he said last month.
Labour has described Tinetti, the Minister of Internal Affairs, as one of Labour's high-fliers.
The party said Tinetti had deep roots in the local community, having served as Principal of Tauranga's Merivale School for 11 years before entering Parliament in 2017.
Despite the poll placing, Luxton's leader David Seymour said Luxton was the clear winner of two recent televised debates for the Tauranga race.
"While the National candidate desperately defended his party's lack of action in the region for decades, and the Labour candidate talked up her party's fluffy-duck approach to crime, Cameron proposed common-sense, real solutions to Tauranga's problems," Seymour said.
Seymour said Luxton had clear convictions and genuine ambition for Tauranga.
He added: "It is for these reasons he stands out from the other candidates who are just parroting their party talking points."
