Labour leader Chris Hipkins has injected much-needed energy into his flagging re-election bid, three weeks from polling day in New Zealand.
Sunday marked the midway point in New Zealand's six-week campaign period leading up to October 14.
Mr Hipkins, who took over from Jacinda Ardern in January and is hoping to steer Labour to a third term, flew the flag at a campaign rally in central Wellington packed with a few hundred Labour faithful.
The 45-year-old has been criticised for a low-key campaign but upped the ante with a series of attacks on centre-right opposition National.
"New Zealanders have a clear choice between Labour and progress, or National and their coalition of chaos and cuts," he said, to cheers.
"You don't take our country forward by winding things back and that's all they're offering.
"You don't deal with the climate crisis by sitting on your hands.
"You don't make housing more affordable by bringing back foreign millionaires and you don't help with the cost of living by cutting jobs and critical public services."
Labour is hammering National for its pledge to find $NZ1 billion ($A920 million) in annual savings from the public service.
On Sunday, Mr Hipkins levied attacks on both opposition leader Chris Luxon, calling him untrustworthy, and finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis in his 30-minute speech.
"The coalition of cuts are lining up to take a razor to public services and are now even boasting about layoffs before Christmas," he said.
"That's cruel to the families that rely on those jobs ... Nicola Willis is set to be the Grinch who stole Christmas with her mini-budget and public service layoffs."
It remains to be seen whether the attacks will resonate, but if they fall flat, Labour's six years in government will be over.
An average of recent polls put Labour around nine per cent behind National, meaning the government needs to find support urgently, given Kiwis start voting from Wednesday.
Polls show National will be able to form a coalition with right-wing libertarians ACT and, if needed, populists New Zealand First.
Showing the confidence of the National campaign, Mr Luxon spent Sunday morning in Mr Hipkins' electorate of Remutaka, a Labour stronghold in the northern Wellington region of Upper Hutt.
"Up and down this country, even in what would be traditionally strong Labour strongholds, we've been getting a great reaction," Mr Luxon said.
"You've heard it today, there were people that were multi-generational Labour voters and for the first time are actually giving their vote to National."
In contrast to Mr Hipkins' standoffishness with voters, which has produced awkward moments when campaigning, Mr Luxon has taken to the trail like a duck to water.
At Brewtown Farmers Market he chatted with stallholders and market-goers with ease.
"I'm normally Labour but this year I'm undecided," cake seller Katrina Westaway told AAP, "Luxon seems like a nice guy."
Ian McIntosh, who sold Mr Luxon a bottle of lemon and ginger vinegar, was unimpressed.
"He's just another politician. And I've seen plenty of them," he said.
Mr McIntosh's sentiment is typical of the Kiwi electorate, which appears unenthused by the major parties.
Polling suggests Labour and National could earn a record low combined vote, with minor parties ACT and the Greens on track for bumper results.
On Sunday, both National and Labour made new policy pledges in a hope to improve their share.
National pledged to wind back speed limit reductions by Labour, while Mr Hipkins announced $NZ6 billion ($A5.6 million) towards social housing, to build 6000 new homes in their next term.
National will release its much-anticipated fiscal plan this week, with the two leaders clashing in another televised debate on Wednesday night.
