NZ First MP Asenati Lole-Taylor
Once loyal Labour supporters, the Pacific Island community are now embracing MMP and making decisions based on the issues.
For a long time - generations, even - the Pasifika vote has always gone to the party draped in red.
In the old days, vans and buses were organised all around South Auckland to make sure as many people as possible turned up to the voting booths. The majority of those Tongan, Samoan, Niuean, Fijian, Cook Island and Tuvaluan voters were completely decked out in red, holding red balloons and wearing red lei.
These days, however, something is changing within the community.
Although there is still a very strong Labour following, there is now growing support for National, as well as a shift to vote for other parties - something almost never heard of before amongst Pasifika.
Community leaders and seasoned politicians admit that people are starting to look at what other parties are offering; meaning the Pacific vote is starting to look a lot more colourful this election.
Over the past few months, the National party has gone in strong into places that have traditionally been Labour's stronghold and, in earlier years, would have seen anyone in blue practically booted out.
There have been launches, parties and rallies all around Mangere, Manurewa, Otara and other parts of the Southside.
Just over a week ago, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga announced National would give $200,000 over three years to the popular Auckland Secondary School PolyFest.
Changing tide
Local Pacific leader Teleiai Edwin Puni said members of the community were now more aware about how their vote could heavily influence the outcome of an election.
Those aged 65 and over were acknowledging the benefits they would get if they gave their vote to Winston Peters' party NZ First.
People still upset about Labour's gay marriage bill were considering giving their votes to the Conservatives and those with more radical views were now thinking of giving Internet Mana or the Greens the tick.
People also have a greater understanding of the Mixed Member Proportional voting system, Mr Puni said.
"Labour used to get both [candidate and party] votes. But now people are mixing it up. For example, people in Mangere might want to give their vote to Su'a William Sio, but their party votes are going to be given to someone else.
"That broad view will bring about a certain trend that's happening now - and that is, the way that our Pacific vote was in the past is slowly changing. It's not just to one party, but now it's quite split. That shows the different views our Pacific people hold and now they're participating in that sense."
The fact that more Pacific Islanders are entering politics has also led to dramatic change, with many people moving to support their own. Although the majority of those candidates are turning out for Labour, Pasifika names can also be found on lists for National, NZ First, the Conservatives, Mana and the Greens.
One of Parliament's most colourful characters is NZ First's Leaufa'amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor who is her party's spokeswoman for Pacific Island affairs, ethnic affairs, corrections and social policy/welfare.
Many know her story and therefore respect and listen to her when she has something to say.
On Pacific radio talk-back recently, people have said they would be giving their vote not to Mr Peters' party, but to "Asenati's party" - something she laughs at when put to her.
"The time I've spent on the phone explaining different policies has actually contributed to raising people's awareness on different things."
She said she had outlined to many Pasifika how her party was indeed making a difference - from the introduction of SuperGold cards to free healthcare for children under 6.
"When you think about it, we are making an influence and we are showing to the Government that the policies that we're looking at are ones that the public actually need.
"It's not always about having to be in government, but the influence that we can have on the Government to support and introduce the right policy."
Mr Lotu-Iiga, who has been a National MP since 2008, said people were connecting with them more now.
"It's on the back of that our values match that of values of Pacific people. We're migrants, we're aspirational and it's about getting ahead in education, jobs and health - those are the things that really matter to Pacific people."
He is quick to rattle off statistics Pasifika people have achieved under National: More kids are in early childhood education, NCEA level 2 grades continue to improve and there are more Pasifika university graduates.
Old allegiances still strong
Despite change happening within the Pacific community, there are old allegiances that remain rock solid.
Mangere has a number of big names running for the electorate seat; including James Papali'i for Mana, National's Misa Fia Turner, Conservative's Dr Edward Saafi, Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua and Labour MP Su'a William Sio. Although they have all contributed greatly to the Pacific community, Mr Sio would probably have to do something completely scandalous to lose that seat.
He is well-respected among locals and attends all big church meetings and community events - at election time or not.
In the 2011 election, he got more than 18,000 votes. The second highest ranked candidate, from National, got just over 3000 votes.
The seasoned politician accepted that there had been a change among Pacific Islanders, but that a long-time connection to Labour would mean those allegiances would remain firm with many.
"The movement has been a slow and gradual movement and other social issues ignited the movement," Mr Sio said.
"But I believe I have a good feel about where things are because of that ongoing connection."
Big impact
One of the big reasons for the shift is the gay marriage bill put forward by his colleague, Louisa Wall. It is a bill that continues to upset many in the conservative community.
Mr Sio said he had spent a lot of time explaining to Pacific voters how the bill came about and the fact that for it to pass, it had to have Government support.
"I've explained that while it was my colleague that brought it up, Labour Party always prides itself that these issues are conscience issues. And I decided to take the contrary view and represent what I felt was a view that is held strongly by the Pacific community."
There is also an interesting battle happening in the new Upper Harbour electorate, west of Auckland.
The candidates there are Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, the Act Party's Stephen Berry, the Conservative's Callum Blair, Makelesi Ngata for Mana, Nicholas Mayne for the Greens and Hermann Retzlaff for Labour.
The last candidate is well-known among the Pacific community and comes from good political stock.
Mr Retzlaff, a High Court solicitor and the president of the Pacific Law Association, has been hugely vocal in his campaign; running rallies and events targeted at youth.
The fact his father is the much-loved former Samoan Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General, Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, also bumps him up in people's minds.
Divine intervention
On Sunday, Mr Key and Mr Cunliffe both attended big Samoan church services in Mangere and New Lynn, respectively.
It was a significant day in that it marked 184 years since palagi (European) missionaries arrived in Samoa. Their message was quickly accepted by the people and continues to be preached throughout the Pacific today.
That is the kind of impact both leaders will be praying for come election day.
Natalia Palamo is looking forward to the election, but admits she is yet to decide who will get her party vote.
The 25-year-old Auckland engineer is researching hard to make sure she gives her vote to the party she can count on.
"I haven't fully decided and I probably won't decide until I'm actually about to tick the boxes - but I'm leaning towards the Greens."
For Miss Palamo, who lives in the Kelston electorate, her candidate vote is set: Labour's Carmel Sepuloni.
She liked Labour's policies and was particularly impressed with the party's "Vote Positive" campaign.
"I've voted Labour in the past, but this year is a little different. I've taken a lot more interest in the election; reading up on the parties and their policies."
She said many of her Pasifika friends and family were much more aware of policies this election and there was an excitement among the community - particularly among Pacific youth.
"I spoke to a few of my friends and they are super keen Green Party supporters, which is interesting. They even go to the events. It's really cool that they are looking at the different parties instead of just Labour or National."
Miss Palamo, who is related to Upper Harbour candidate Hermann Retzlaff, acknowledged that high-profile Pacific Island role models were also steering the community towards particular parties. But old allegiances remained strong among families.
At the end of the day, she said, her vote would be based on the betterment of her community and family.
Similar products were taken in the two other raids, and in break-ins at two other stores.