McAnulty on roll in Big Red Bus

ON THE DOOR: Labour Party candidate for Wairarapa, Kieran McAnulty, talks to Rema Wimutu in Church St yesterday during a door-knock campaign.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

You can have all the buses, signs, balloons and people in head-to-toe red in the world - but at the end of the day it might be as simple as a knock on the door.

Wairarapa Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty was joined by an enthusiastic crew of Party members, who rolled into town on Labour Big Red Bus yesterday to help drum up support in the community.

The bus picked up members of Wairarapa Labour from South Wairarapa and Carterton, as well as crew from Young Labour and supporters of Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri.

The Labour crew supported Mr McAnulty by waving signs and red balloons on Chapel St and door knocking in Masterton's East Side.

He said the Wairarapa Labour membership has doubled in the last 12 months, and members have been instrumental in helping increase Labour and Mr McAnulty's visibility - through residential visits and community events.

"Our strength is people on the ground," said Mr McAnulty.

"We've got about 100 Wairarapa Labour people out there door knocking and on the phone.

"All these activists are what's putting us in a strong position to win the seat."

Mr McAnulty said one of the most important aspects of his campaign has been visiting voters in their homes throughout the electorate.

Mr McAnulty and his team have so far knocked on 12,000 doors "from Ngawi to Waipawa".

He said there are people who want to see a change - both in Government and the type of MP representing Wairarapa.

"Twelve thousand is a bigger sample than you'll get in the TV One polls," said Mr McAnulty, whose team also did door knocking and sign-waving in Carterton and Featherston.

"These people want someone who's committed to Wairarapa, who understands their views and who is standing for the right reasons - not just because they want to use Wairarapa to get into Parliament.

"I believe I am that person.

McAnulty's team will also be hand-delivering signed letters - outlining his commitment to the region - to every urban mailbox in the electorate, and are currently planning delivery to rural addresses.

In all his months of door knocking, Mr McAnulty said he's never had one person slam the door in his face.

"I think most people appreciate someone who takes the time to visit them - that's the MP they want."