National is fighting for its political life in Northland.

They are desperate and they’ve pulled out the chequebook.

I spent the last two days in the north.

Even National’s own advisors admit its own internal polling is neck and neck, which probably means they’re behind.

They admit Peters is a huge brand in the North and he’s popular.

National has a 140kg ex power lifter who has little name recognition in the area. His claims not to know much about Mike Sabin and his problems don’t wash. People are rightly sceptical.

And so the bribes are coming thick and fast. That’s how desperate National is.

I saw it all yesterday. They look scared. They look fearful.

I smelt the fear of losing yesterday – I saw it in the small room in front of 26 people at the Kerikeri RSA.

Watch Duncan Garner's Kerikeri video

National is now promising to start the $1.75b Puhoi-Wellsford highway next year.

It’s a huge promise to make and this by-election has forced their hand. This wasn’t part of the script.

The 10 one lane bridge upgrades is simply cynical politics that only highlights how desperate National is. That promise has backfired. Even National MPs privately admit that.

And now, today more bad news.

150 forest contractors in the region have lost their jobs at Harvest Pro. This is devastating news. This will hurt.

Unemployment is already high at 11.0% - this is the last thing Northland needs.

Watch Duncan Garner's Kaikohe video

I sense the voters are grumpy. Many of them feel neglected. And rightly so.

The roads are simply shit. I drove them yesterday. I drive them regularly. I have a house in the north. The pot holes are so big you could live in them for days.

National has held this seat for 67 of the last 70 years. If this is progress – then what does failure look like?

National has been caught with its tight blue undies around its ankles and Winston Peters is taking full advantage.

It’s fair to say National’s in a street fight, it’s desperate. And it’s clearly showing.

Duncan Garner hosts RadioLIVE Drive - 'where content is still king' - weekdays from 3pm.

source: data archive