"It's been a tremendous help for me and its largely advanced the understanding of us. Because Mr Dotcom needed to be questioned directly as well as Laila Harre's dynamism as a leader and the complementary role her and Hone play. That really helped I think my voter understanding, which didn't happen last time."
The Rotorua lawyer said if there was one law she could make tomorrow it would be "feed the kids" to eliminate child poverty.
"We want people paid as employees to feed the children, [current programmes] run on a voluntary basis and puts another onus on the teachers. The focus has to be the children," she said.
"Charities should not be responsible for it like Sanitarium or KidsCan, they are great organisations and I don't want to knock them, but this isn't a charitable excuse, this needs to be an upfront centre social education policy."
She unapologetically said they'll tax the rich to provide free breakfast and lunches in schools. Her party also want to create 100,000 jobs.
"How are we going to fund that? Take $8.2 billion from the reserves of ACC. We will unashamedly do that, our people need to have the dignity of work, need to have value in society, and we want everyone with full employment - jobs for everybody on a liveable wage, with fair working conditions, $18.80 and affordable homes."
During her down time, she said she used to go to the gym or do a lot of waiata [singing].
"My mum had a massive stroke three years ago so every weekend I look after her. She's in Papamoa so I pick her up on Friday and we have a great time together, driving around, cruising. We come down [to the Lakefront] quite often and it's the greatest healing," she said.
While having her photo taken for this article, a Mana supporter dropped in to check how she looked. Ms Sykes took it all in her stride, accepting it's part of an election campaign.
"I don't care about these things, I've been told I have to care," Ms Sykes said.
"I don't mind getting dolled up now and then, I'm a girl, we all like doing that. But I'm also a hard-nosed worker and my outfit has always been a black or white jacket and trousers or pants. "They've told me I'm breaking out in colour, I'm wearing a red dress, that is an absolute dynamic for me.
"I'm not resisting it but it's very difficult for someone to spend 25 years in court and everybody has to look the same, so the need of uniformity is now a need for uniqueness and it's a bit of a steep change for me.
"I think I'm unique in court anyway and it hasn't been because of my dress but because of how I advocate and I hope that uniqueness carries on in Parliament if we're lucky to get there."
Annette Sykes
Born and bred: Born in Rotorua, grew up in Kawerau and Rotoiti.
Family: Two sons, mother Hilda, two stepbrothers, two sisters, two brothers, one of each whangaied (adopted).
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Eva Rickard, she set up the Mana Maori Movement and has long influenced me in the way I work in court. I've got some Irish beginnings so Bernadette Devlin the youngest woman who ever went into Parliament.
If you could make one new law tomorrow, what would it be?
Feed the kids, eliminate child poverty. Our children are taonga (treasure).
Who is New Zealand's best MP?
Hone Harawira and Tariana Turia. She will be remembered as one of the greatest Maori women leaders ever in Parliament.
