Election 2011: John Key goes prawn fishing

It might be just 15 days until the election, but that didn't stop John Key dropping in a line and stopping for a spot of fishing.

But the Prime Minister will be hoping for more luck on election night than he had with his fishing.

Mr Key's campaign trail hit Taupo yesterday with a whirlwind visit to the new geothermal Miraka Milk Factory followed by a tour of Huka Prawn Park which included a spot of fishing and a mid-morning feast of prawns.

Mr Key was relaxed, joking the blue prawns were clearly "a National prawn".

Despite their allegiances, none were biting and Mr Key had to settle with some of the ones caught earlier in the day.

Among locals to meet Mr Key were Dr Andrew Burton, who is the aquaculture manager at the park, and his 7-year-old son Angus.

Dressed in Mexican costume, Angus managed a discussion with Mr Key on the pros and cons of Mexican food, with Mr Key revealing he liked his Mexican "really spicy" along with a penchant for refried beans.

"I bet when you are a big boy you'll eat more of that stuff," Mr Key told Angus.

Dr Burton shared his family's story of fleeing Mexico after threats of extortion and told Mr Key he wanted to see a closer relationship with Mexico.

After the visit, Dr Burton said he was impressed with Mr Key and that there was a lot riding on the election for his family depending on the outcome.

He and his family have been back in New Zealand for two years, and Dr Burton said if Mr Key wasn't re-elected, they'd leave.

Dr Burton said he believed National's plans for a brighter future were important and said the other leaders didn't have the same understanding of international relationships as Mr Key did.

Mr Key also spoke with a group of local geothermal and business representatives, including Enterprise Great Lake Taupo general manager Fritz Frohlke, about the economy and the importance of geothermal to Taupo.

Mr Key said Taupo was considered a very important part of the New Zealand tourism sector because it had "so many things that are attractive".

He was pleased to hear the town had done well during the Rugby World Cup.