Wellington Central is set to be one of the tightest electorate races this election so Newshub Nation's Laura Walters spokes to the three frontrunners to learn more about why they want to lead and what their chances really are.
Labour candidate Ibrahim Omer is fighting for his political life in Wellington Central.
Labour has predominantly held the seat since 1905, but this year, it's up for grabs.
"We are not taking anything for granted," Omer, who is 37th on Labour's list.
Omer is hitting the streets and steps of Wellington to convince every voter he can to nominate him for the electorate.
Wellington Central has traditionally been a battle of the big dogs but in January, Labour's Finance Minister Grant Robertson pulled out of the race, deciding to instead only run on Labour's party list.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw followed suit a month later.
"I don't think I'd be able to serve the people of Wellington Central 100 percent," Shaw told AM.
Shaw is instead backing young Wellington City Councillor, Tamatha Paul.
Paul was elected to the council in 2019 and is one of three Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward representatives.
She was previously the first wahine Māori President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association.
National has put forward Scott Sheeran, who sits 45th on their list.
Since landing back in Aotearoa from Dubai, Sheeran has been getting his face out there.
"I'm new, but actually people are responding really positively," he said.
The three contenders broadly agree on the issues facing the capital.
Sheeran listed transport, housing and a lack of investment as key issues he was focused on.
Paul highlighted housing and transport.
Omer said the city needs more housing and more public transport.
Climate change and cost of living are also front of mind.
"The workers that carry our city on their shoulders cannot afford to live here," Paul said.
Each candidate believes their background sets them apart from the others.
Omer said that he is standing on behalf of the underdog.
"I grew up in a household that strongly believed in social justice," he said.
A former refugee and trade unionist, Omer rode the red wave to Parliament in 2020.
At 37th on the Party list, winning Wellington Central looks to be his only way back.
"I have no plan B. For many years this seat has been Labour's and I have every intention to keep it that way."
But Paul will not be giving Omer a free pass by any means.
"At the start of this campaign, I heard a lot about this being a safe Labour seat and I think this couldn’t be further from the truth," she said.
Paul believes that she understands Wellingtonians.
"The average age of Wellington Central is 26, and I am 26," she said.
"I'm a renter, I'm a recent graduate, I fit perfectly into the demographic that politicians love to talk about."
In 2020, Chloe Swarbrick won Auckland Central making her the only Green electorate MP.
Last year, Green endorsed candidate Tory Whanau became Wellington's first wahine Māori mayor.
This election, Paul has a real shot at riding the mini green wave.
"Of all the candidates, my track record speaks the loudest towards progress for our city," she said.
National's won the party vote in Wellington before, and this year, Sheeran is hoping for a split in the left vote making way for National's momentum all the way to Parliament.
"This is all about my children and thinking about the future that they'll have, and the values that we have as New Zealanders," he said.
The father of three started at the freezing works and ended up at the United Nations, and you can tell.
"I will listen to every single voice," he said.
Sheeran will have to wait until October 14th to hear what voters have to say.
Also in the race for Wellington Central is NZ First's Taylor Arneil, Legalise Cannabis' Michael Appleby and TOP's Natalia Albert, though they are all currently polling below ten percent.
Watch the full video for more.
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