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The war for balance of power in election year is formally declared on Sunday, with both Labour and National staging campaign launches in Auckland.
The head to head nature of the battle has filtered right through to the timing of the events.
National leader John Key will open his party's campaign at Sky City at one PM, while at almost the same time and just around the corner in the Auckland Town Hall, Labour leader Helen Clark will be rallying the Labour troops.
The election campaign moves into its final four weeks today, with the remaining parliamentary parties also launching their bids officially.
The Act Party will be at Alexandra Park in Epsom, while United Future's launch is set down for the Library Cafe in Onehunga.
Both National and ACT say their main focus will be the economy, while United Future wants to talk about families and standards of living.
National's President Judy Kirk, Deputy Leader Bill English and Leader John Key are kicking the centre-right party's off.
However, Joyce says they have scaled down the celebrations event to match the mood of a nation facing a global financial meltdown, meaning it will be a very 'business-like' affair.
Around 1100 people, including MPs, candidates, party members, and supporters have arrived at SkyCity.
In the audience is former leader Dr Don Brash, who came within a whisker of defeating Labour in 2005.
Key is due to address the crowd around two o'clock.
