KEY POINTS:
Scuffles broke out when National leader John Key's barnstorming airborne tour of New Zealand ran into a three-pronged protest in Palmerston North today.
Mr Key flew in to Palmerston North on the final day of the campaign as part of a whistlestop tour of eight towns and cities.
However, a scuffle developed between Labour and National supporters at a street corner rally minutes before Mr Key arrived.
A National supporter tried to wrestle a megaphone from Wayne Ruscoe, one of about a dozen Labour supporters chanting "John Key is the anti-Obama".
The Key supporter, who refused to be named but said he was a former National Party member, ripped the megaphone off Mr Ruscoe and told him to move on.
Police initially refused to interfere, but later stood between the two as the National supporter refused to listen to other party members who tried to stop him.
Another National supporter, retired pharmacist Cameron Duncan, also took issue with Mr Ruscoe telling him: "Why don't you go jump into bed with your lesbian partner".
He also tried to take the megaphone off Mr Ruscoe.
Mr Key gave a stump speech to about 100 placard-waving supporters as the scuffles took place.
Mr Ruscoe said he was considering making a complaint to police.
Senior Sergeant Brett Calkin, who was at the rally, said he had spoken to the first National supporter and did not intend to take it further, as there appeared to have been scuffling on both sides.
Mr Key later told reporters the overflowing passions were due to the strong campaign National had run, but he did not want to see that get out of control.
"We would not support any form of aggression towards Labour Party supporters," he told reporters.
"But it's a sign of how strong our campaign is that they are targeting and trying to disrupt ours."
Mr Ruscoe was one of three groups protesting at Mr Key's rally. The others were Green supporters and a group protesting against what they said were National's plans to privatise health.
Mr Key initially planned to spend about an hour at the strip mall in central Palmerston North, but cut short a walk around to have a coffee at a downtown cafe.
It is the second time in two days one of Mr Key's rallies has been disrupted by Labour protesters, who yesterday drowned him out in Christchurch's Cathedral Square.
Mr Key entered the final day buoyed by four polls in the last 24 hours showing National has enough support to lead the next government.
He started today shaking hands and chatting to commuters at Wellington railway station.
He was challenged by one young Labour Party member on National's plans to introduce a 90-day probation period for new workers, but received a cordial response from most others.
About 50 National supporters turned up to see Mr Key.
Mr Key will campaign in New Plymouth today, before ending up in Auckland, where he will hit the malls and hold a series of rallies.
He will close his campaign with a rally in his Helensville electorate about 6pm.
All campaigning as well as media reports that could sway voters are banned from midnight.
- NZPA
