KEY POINTS:
We sent nzherald.co.nz's roving reporter to Queen St to gather opinions from people in the street about Prime Minister Helen Clark's decision to name the date for Election '08 as November 8.
The date is no surprise. It's good to have a date and to know it's
coming up. I think National might win this one. From what I can see the tide has turned and people want a bit of a change. The electioneering is fine. It's what we need. That's why we're a democracy.
Michael, Epsom
It's just three days later than Guy Fawkes day. It's about time really. I'm cynical about politics in general, but I know who the candidates are in my local electorate and I've made up my mind who I want to vote for.
Graham, Mt Roskill
Get it over with! I just want it over because we know the next six weeks will be full of mud slinging. Labour will be scratching and you won't see NZ First for dust. National might get it in coalition with Act.
Jo, Helensville
It took her a long time to get around to saying what the date of the election will be. It was time for a bit of time for propaganda about Labour. It feels like the campaigning has built up a lot over the last few months. I'm a bit over it now.
Josh, East Coast Bays
By all accounts she used the announcement to start her campaign. I had made up my mind a while ago but I'm not so sure any more. I think Helen has been a great Prime Minister. She has done a pretty good job.
Michelle, Epsom.
It's about time Helen Clark is gotten rid of but I don't know if John Key is that suitable. The whole deal Winston Peters has shown that he's not prepared to tell the truth. The whole game of politics is not benefiting the state of the country.
Dominique, Counties Manukau
Campaign will be interesting but I think they're not sticking to issues and they're all being much more confrontational. It's more like America every day!
Debbie, Epsom
My family support Labour but I'm not sure what's going to happen this time around. All this stuff with Winston Peters, I'm not sure about that but every government stuffs up, don't they?
Moe, Manurewa
I'm glad she has finally announced a date. Obviously we're running out of days. It'll be good to get it over and done with and get back to running the country. There a media circus around it all, particularly with this whole Winston Peters business. I think it'll be far too tight to call. Helen Clark has done herself a lot of damage from sticking so closely to Winston. I've been a Labour voter but I'm not impressed at all.
Lucy, Auckland Central
I hope National get in. I've made up my mind in the last two days with all of this Winston Peters nonsense. It's about time we got a new government.
Suzanne