The race to become Whanganui's next MP could be headed for a photo finish.
Steph Lewis and Harete Hipango are neck and neck in the latest opinion poll out yesterday.
Less than two percentage points seperate the candidates according to the poll released yesterday by Labour.
The poll has National's Ms Hipango leading as prefered MP on 35.2 per cent with Labour's Ms Lewis hard on her heels with 33.9 per cent support.
Significantly 18 per cent of respondents remained undecided.
Given the 4000 vote majority with which National's Chester Borrows won the electorate in 2014 it appears Labour has made up a lot of ground.
Labour Whanganui campaign manager Josh Chandulal-Mackay said there was now genuine and realistic belief that Ms Lewis could win the seat.
"Our poll shows 18 per cent of voters remain undecided so it could go either way. But we are right in there with a great chance," Mr Chandulal-Mackay said.
He put Labour's charge up the popularity ladder down to Ms Lewis who he said had campaigned hard on several fronts including traditional door knocking but also maintaining a proactive presence on social media.
Also Ms Lewis was benefitting from a surge of support for Labour nationally following ther elevation to leader of Jacinda Ardern.
"Jacinda showed at the leader's debate she has a hell of a lot of substance and not just razmatazz," Mr Chandulal-Mackay said.
Clark Hennessy for the National Party said the party's own polling has Harete in front in the electorate but he did not say by how much or give further details.
"She's working hard to obtain the support of the voters in the district and will right through to Election Day," Mr Hennessy said.
"In addition to this, she's working hard for the Party Vote which is the most important vote. Only a Party Vote for National will guarantee another strong government that can deliver for Whanganui families and businesses."
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