Oamaru is the biggest centre in the super-safe National seat of Waitaki. The Otago Daily Times briefly visited this week to ask what was on the minds of voters.
The Labour Party seems to be losing its connection with towns such as Oamaru.
On a visit this week to glean the mood of the biggest town in the solid National seat of Waitaki, the Otago Daily Times was struck by how many people said they were voting for the Green Party.
Last election, Labour was second to National in the Oamaru party vote, by 329 votes.
The Greens were well behind in third place.
Unlike many rural towns, Oamaru still has a blue-collar worker base and a strong Labour vote.
This year, Labour is standing respected Dunedin nurses' union official Glenda Alexander, who would be more suited to an urban seat.
A couple of people ask why the party has not put forward someone who lives in the seat.
Green voters include a former St Kevin's College schoolgirl, who did not want to be named, sharing morning tea with two other women in popular cafe Steam in the main street.
She recognises the ODT reporter, who attended the same school, and explains politics is really not her thing but she will be voting for the Green Party.
The ODT tries to ask a few questions about the area, and one friend interjects to say firmly she is not interested in ''small town'' issues; obesity is her big concern.
The attitude is typical of Oamaru, which, perhaps because of its history, has an outward perspective.
A cafe assistant the ODT vaguely recognises as being associated with the Greens says the party's Wanaka-based candidate, Sue Coutts, has visited often and the party is building a strong support base in Oamaru.
Her enthusiasm is not unusual for a party supporter, but the visible presence in the town of young activists must bolster the Green vote.
A prominent local resident - who also does not want to be named - says the Government ''badly mishandled'' the decision to close the town's courthouse after claiming it was too expensive to earthquake strengthen.
It will not affect his vote for National, nor that of his suit-wearing friend, but the decision has clearly irritated.
Leaving Steam, the ODT heads down Thames St into Humber St to see the ''porta-court'' plonked in the alcohol licensing car park for court hearings.
The bland prefab is a stark contrast to the dignified Roman Corinthian style building that could have been strengthened for just over $1million.
Back on the main street, a shopkeeper who is a strong supporter of National MP Jacqui Dean also has a view on the courthouse.
Self-deprecating, she describes herself as a ''little person'', but says it would have made sense to spend some money to ensure a beautiful old building kept its original purpose.
After all, she points out, there will always be defendants to shepherd through its doors.
Oamaru's stock of old buildings is one of the town's main attractions, a testament to collective effort and much fundraising.
Just how to fund and commercially brand the Victorian-era buildings has been a source of rancour, infighting and division at times.
In the historic precinct, business owners tell the ODT how quiet it is, as the tourist season has not started.
The area had a particularly poor winter, one says, because of the number of tourists who now fly direct to Queenstown.
Lazy Cat Pottery owner Vaughan Tessier-Varlet says it is hard to pay the commercial rent on his large precinct building, as there is simply not enough foot traffic to generate sufficient income.
He also works as a nurse at Oamaru Hospital's emergency department, and says New Zealand is not facing up to its problems with alcohol, domestic violence and child abuse.
On the other side of Harbour St, Mirrorcity Letterpress owner Rob Lamb says he is not charged a commercial rent and could not survive in the precinct if he were.
His letterpress printing displays are a big tourist drawcard for the precinct, he says.
Like Mr Tessier-Varlet, he is voting for the Greens, and would like to see the Greens and Labour amalgamate.
''I don't know anyone who is voting National.''
The ODT met plenty of people voting National, among them Oamaru accountant Gordon Scott and wife Liz having lunch at Steam.
Mr Scott says the town's retail sector is a bit depressed but is holding its own.
They are happy with National, and would not change a thing about how the country is governed.
