Guildford, who ran amok in Rarotonga this week, dominated the front pages of North Island newspapers yesterday, and as the Pulse picked up both copies, Jane of Whitcoulls sighed and asked: "What's Guildford done now?"
Politics was far from the mind of the sales assistant, so the Pulse moved along the street about 100m and into a cafe for coffee and morning tea.
There, four women were animatedly chatting between themselves and as hope springs eternal, the Pulse sat down at the next table and engaged them in a conversation. They too were more concerned about Guildford and Christmas shopping than the election. But at least they knew who the local MP was (Iain Lees-Galloway). Not so the case two tables down, where two older women intended voting for Steve Maharey, who is now the vice-chancellor of Massey University.
The streets were quiet and, around the corner from the cafe, the electorate headquarters of Mr Lees-Galloway looked abandoned. Yellowing newspaper clippings of the local MP, associate finance spokesman David Parker and Labour leader Phil Goff decorated the front window. An online poll suggested an overwhelming victory for Mr Lees-Galloway and, in a statement, he also remained confident of a win.
Along the next street, Cash Converters was easily the busiest shop. Not only were people queuing at the "customer solutions" desk, but the aisles were full of potential buyers and sellers.
However, it was The Plaza which came as a real shock as it is totally decorated for Christmas. An hour spent there talking to shoppers seemed to prove again that Palmerston North has moved straight from the Rugby World Cup to Christmas without passing the election.
But the one thing that did annoy people was Prime Minister John Key refusing to release the tape from "cup-of-tea-gate" in Epsom. If he had nothing to hide from his chat with Act New Zealand candidate John Banks, he should release the tape, was a consensus of opinion around the food court.
On the outskirts of Palmerston North, Stuart Hubbard and Glen Boyle were replacing a Green Party sign. It was one of a line of hoardings alongside the racecourse.
Mr Hubbard said he was not so much interested in the political side of the campaign, but he liked to get into the practical side, such as maintaining the hoardings. He quickly pointed out that the hoarding was being replaced because a new one had become available, not because the old one was vandalised.
Asked about the political mood in the electorate, Mr Hubbard said a plumber and a builder had called at his place yesterday and were chatting about MMP. They liked the system and would vote for retaining MMP but were concerned about the "deal" done between Messrs Key and Banks.
Messrs Hubbard and Boyle were both pleased with the support the Greens were getting but also wanted Mr Lees-Galloway to do well. He had a "pretty good chance" of hanging on to the seat despite the amount of time and money National seemed to be pouring into the electorate.
National has made no secret it wants to take Palmerston North, traditionally regarded as a Labour stronghold. It is a red blot in an otherwise sea of blue from Auckland south to Wellington.
The last time the electorate was held by National was in 1975 by John Lithgow, who held it for one term before being defeated by Joe Walding. Since then, it has remained in Labour hands, despite boundary changes. Mr Maharey held the seat for 21 years.
National candidate Leonie Hapeta will have her work cut out to overhaul that sort of tradition.
Sadly, the Pulse will miss the arrival of Santa at The Plaza today. But I did sort out Christmas presents for my son and daughter.