Carmel Sepuloni set on election success: 'I'm not going anywhere'

Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni says she is not going anywhere and will not consider another term in opposition, two days out from Saturday's general election.

She’s told Pacific Mornings she will stay with the party if Labour ends up in opposition again, but that is not the plan.

“The plan is that we're going to win this election. We're going to form a government, and we're going to make life a little bit better for New Zealanders, including our Pacific community, because it's been hard over the last three years."

Sepuloni is not the only leader refusing to talk about losing.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has ruled out being in opposition, and says there is no backup plan. "We are going to win."

Peters is also dismissing recent polls.

Watch Carmel Sepuloni's full video below.

Prime Minister and National leader Christopher Luxon says the only poll that matters is the one on Saturday, urging voters to stay the course.

"Stick with the plan. Don't leave it half done."

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says his party has developed some real momentum.

Chris Hipkins says he is feeling increasingly optimistic, but there's still a lot of work to do. "It's going to be a close election." Photo/RNZ/Tim Collins

"I'm feeling increasingly optimistic, but there's still a lot of work to do. It's going to be a close election."

Sepuloni says the cost of living is the number one issue this election and Labour has not shifted from it.

"Our focus is on policies that are actually going to alleviate that pressure for people. Right now people want a government that is taking them seriously and listening to what their concerns are, and people are looking at Labour and they know that we are."

Asked her to set the manifesto aside and name one difference Pacific voters would notice from Labour in its first 100 days Sepuloni stays with the cost of living rather than a specific policy. "Putting food on the table, keeping the roof over their head, and being able to thrive as a family rather than just barely survive."

Sepuloni has been out campaigning at an intersection on Te Atatū Peninsula in West Auckland and says the National campaigners across the road have not been getting the same response from passing drivers.

"We're the ones getting the toots, and so if that's an indication, I think that shows that we've got support here."

Carmel Sepuloni says, "you've got to remain focused on what's important to people, and you've got to remain united on that front, and we've done that." Photo/RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

In terms of Labour's biggest lesson in opposition, Sepuloni says it is unity.

"I've been in opposition before, and the importance of unity, the importance of trusting each other and having a caucus that is united is the most important thing."

She says she has seen both Labour and National crumble in opposition in the past.

"In opposition you can fall apart really quickly because of the pressure.

Sepuloni says this campaign feels different from previous ones.

"There's been times where you've sensed the apathy. It's been frustrating as a politician. You're worried about whether or not people will turn out to vote, whether or not they will vote for you. But this time around, there's a mood for change.

Carmel Sepuloni said, 'You're worried about whether or not people will turn out to vote, whether or not they will vote for you. But this time around, there's a mood for change.' Photo/RNZ/Electoral Commission

"People know that they can't do another three years of this government. They don't want to continue going backwards, and they want to be part of that change."

Election day is Saturday 7 November. Advance voting opened on 26 October.