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The two front runners for the Mount Albert seat went head to head in a lively interview with Paul Holmes on TVNZ's Q + A programme on Sunday morning.
Candidates have been campaigning in the electorate this weekend - vying for the previously safe seat left vacant by former prime minister Helen Clark. With Green Party co-leader Russel Norman also standing, analysts believe the left vote could be split, giving National a chance.
The electorate has been a Labour stronghold since it was established in 1946 and Clark has held the seat since 1981. Of all the NZ electorates it has the lowest proportion of baby boomers (aged 50-64) and higher than average Pacific (15%) and Asian (24%) communities.
The main battle is between backbench MP Melissa Lee and former UN worker David Shearer who has just returned to New Zealand from Iraq.
Much of their debate centred on roading plans for the town which is in a Lee: He's only come back just a week ago, I've been here longer than that, and people are telling me, shearer: Haha people are saying. Lee: Excuse me let me finish.
Shearer, a father of two, says Mt Albert is a diverse community which is a microcosm of the country as a whole with a "wonderful independence" about it.
Lee, a single mum, says although Mt Albert has been a safe seat for Labour people are aspirational and are seeking a better life for themselves. She says people on the street are telling her their major issue is personal safety, although they are also concerned about Auckland's roading and Super City plans.
She says the final roading option must be affordable in tough economic times
Lee says although she is of Asian descent she wants to represent everyone in the electorate.
However Shearer says people are telling him their major concern is their desire for the Waterview tunnel to go ahead. He says they are desperately worried they may end up with a six lane highway running through the middle of their town.
Shearer says the money has been budgeted and NZ should copy the overseas model of using the recession to build infrastructure and create jobs.
The by-election will be held on June 13.
