Despite Prime Minister John Key's clear plan to help United Future's Peter Dunne back to Parliament, National's Ohariu candidate does not appear to be down with the deal.
Mr Key has consistently shown his support for keeping Mr Dunne around, pushing the point that National is not seeking electorate votes in Ohariu, a seat Mr Dunne has held for 27 years.
A letter to Ohariu residents from Mr Key last week emphasised that National wanted the party vote, and failed to mention the party's local candidate, Katrina Shanks.
However, Ms Shanks does not appear to be playing the game, and has frequently turned up to Mr Dunne's campaign spots rather than laying low.
Ms Shanks this week popped up in the background of a television news report following Mr Dunne around Johnsonville mall, and, back at the mall today she was once again a notable presence.
As Mr Dunne gave an interview in the mall's food court, Ms Shanks, along with a staff member wearing a National supporter T-shirt, took her seat within the camera's view.
Mr Dunne refused to comment on whether he thought it was strange that Ms Shanks' appearances were crossing over with many of his, saying that she should answer that.
Ms Shanks would not answer directly when asked if she was campaigning for the electorate vote, saying only that she was "working hard to get a strong John Key-led Government''.
"At the end of the day, the hub of Ohariu is Johnsonville and this is where people come to get their lunch,'' she said.
"I have an office in Johnsonville and I'm no different to everybody else in Johnsonville who comes to get their lunch at the mall.''
Ms Shanks said she had not been part of any discussions suggesting she stay out of Mr Dunne's way on the campaign trail.
Labour's candidate Charles Chauvel, Mr Dunne's strongest competition in the electorate, was also campaigning at the mall today, and said he had noticed Ms Shanks' constant presence.
"The Beehive's tried to manipulate [the electorate vote] Katrina's refused to play ball, but unfortunately people hear the Beehive more loudly than they do a local candidate.''
