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Helen Clark has flown out of the country bound for her new job at the United Nations.
But the former prime minister is leaving behind a real battle for her Mt Albert electorate.
Labour's new leader Phil Goff kicked off the campaign in this traditionally safe seat, getting in early in the battle for Mt Albert. It's territory the party has held for more than 50 years.
The campaigning kicked off as Clark flew out for her new job in New York on Saturday, leaving behind a fierce fight for her seat.
The former prime minister won Mt Albert by more than 10,000 votes last election. But are locals more loyal to her than her party, with Labour only holding National off by 2,500 party votes last election?
"Well I think it is a time where it is a honeymoon for the government. That makes it tougher," says Goff.
"But we've got a strong organisation here, we will have a strong candidate, we'll be working as hard as we can, not taking this seat for granted."
It's extra tough for Labour because the Greens are standing a candidate too, potentially splitting the all important centre left vote.
National is gunning hard for the seat with three potential candidates. List MP Melissa Lee is the frontrunner. Previous Mt Albert candidate Ravi Musuku is also in the race, along with former Act campaigner Blair Mulholland.
Possible Labour candidates include list MP Phil Twyford, lecturer Hamish McCracken, Auckland City Councillor Glenda Fryer, politics tutor Meg Bates and employment lawyer Helen White.
Labour's nominations close on April 22. It is likely to select its candidate on May 3 with a formal campaign launch on May 17. That's if the by-election is held on June 13 as predicted by Labour insiders.
The actual date is set by the prime minister.
Labour is looking to woo locals with a new slogan, Putting Mt Albert first, and campaigning on issues close to their hearts like the Waterview tunnel and the Auckland super city plan.
National is likely to have a similar focus as the battle begins in earnest.
