At both meetings, Collins urged party supporters not to vote strategically by splitting their votes, an apparent bid to stop votes going to Act.
"We are utterly serious about taking this election, and it can be done. It can be done if every single person goes out and party votes National. Do not waste your vote on minor parties, or on people who will already be there."
There was also plenty of Ardern-bagging for National supporters to feast on at both events.
In Waikanae, she claimed Ardern "lied" when she had said all staff working at the border or in managed isolation and quarantine facilities were being regularly tested for Covid-19.
"Who let Covid-19 in? I tell you who did. Jacinda Ardern and her government.
"She told us on June 23 everybody was being tested. What a lie. When she said she went hard and fast, she went slow and pathetic. And she lied to us about what was happening."
"She lied. Gee, I hope she sues me for it. Happy to prove it."
Ardern later dismissed Collins' statements as "opposition politics".
Collins was referring to a government directive on June 23 for all staff in border and managed isolation roles to be regularly tested.
However, after the second outbreak in August it was found that about 60 per cent of staff had not been tested at all, and the Government had to boost the process and make it compulsory.
The source of that second outbreak has not been identified.
Collins criticised Ardern for a lack of delivery on everything from Kiwibuild to "light-rail pipe dreams".
She repeated her claim that Ardern would end up adopting some form of 'wealth tax' despite Ardern's repeated rejections of it as the "last roll of the misinformation dice".
"They're coming after you," Collins told the audiences at both events.
Collins later defended continuing to make that claim.
"If Labour get the chance to form the Government, yes they will have the Greens there whether they need them or not. Why? So they can blame them for the unpopular policies they put in place."
Asked later if people should be able to trust the promises Ardern made, Collins said that was difficult based on a track record which included KiwiBuild, light rail, and fees-free for students.
"Almost everything she said she would deliver she has failed to deliver. So why would I suddenly now, suddenly, start believing anything she said on her promises?"
One of those in the audience at Waikanae was former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who had a quick word with Collins but did not want to offer any advice. "[She's] doing very well."
Bolger's 1993 quip "bugger the polls" may be the advice she needed.
Did she 'lie'?
Did Jacinda Ardern "lie" when she said all staff would be regularly tested?
Collins' claims Ardern 'lied' refers to a Government directive on June 23 for all staff in border roles and managed isolation and quarantine facilities to be regularly tested.
The directive was announced by a press release from Ardern titled: 'New COVID-19 testing strategy to keep New Zealand safe."
The Ministry of Health was responsible for organising the testing.
However, after the second outbreak in August it was discovered that almost two thirds of the staff had still not had a single test.
At the time, Ardern said while it had been the Government's expectation that all staff were tested, not all staff were getting the tests and some were refusing.
She indicated the Government had not been aware that it was not being done.
A health order was issued making a weekly test compulsory for staff in quarantine facilities for Covid-19 cases, and fortnightly for staff in managed isolation facilities.
Did Ardern lie when she had claimed all staff were being regularly tested: Arguably yes - but not intentionally.
