National leader John Key was drowned out by Labour supporters in Christchurch today at a lunchtime rally in Cathedral Square.
Mr Key today embarked on a whistle-stop tour of the country, stopping in Napier and Taupo before hitting Christchurch.
He spoke to a rally of about 150 National Party supporters, as well as MPs and candidates, in Cathedral Square, but had to fight to be heard above about a dozen vocal Labour supporters who chanted "where is Mr Flip-Flop" and "the world is voting left".
One Labour supporter repeatedly asked Mr Key to "tell the truth" about the changes National would make to the Employment Relations Act.
Eventually Mr Key's frustration boiled over.
"The truth is you're an idiot," he yelled back.
Despite the loud opposition, Mr Key was mobbed by supporters who wanted to shake his hand, chat and get their photo taken.
Mr Key repeated the message he also delivered in Napier and Taupo, calling on New Zealanders to follow the United States' lead and vote for change.
Afterwards a relaxed Mr Key said the loud exchanges were all part of the "clash of ideas" that occurred during an election campaign.
Mr Key has chartered a Beech 1900 aircraft to blitz eight towns and cities in two final days of furious campaigning.
Earlier today he flew into Napier for a 45-minute street-corner breakfast BBQ with about a 100 local supporters.
In Taupo Mr Key spoke to a rally of about 100 supporters.
Mr Key's whistle-stop tour will also take in Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Auckland.
He told reporters he believed it was important to hit as many places as possible in the last two days.
"It's just an opportunity to do a final sweep through New Zealand to get out as much of the party vote as possible and demonstrate we're taking nothing for granted."
All campaigning is banned from midnight tomorrow, along with any media coverage.
Labour leader Helen Clark is spending the final campaign sprint in Auckland, where a high turnout in the city's southern seats was credited with swinging the election Labour's way in 2005.
