The Labour Party has launched its official campaign in the Botany by-election with an attack on the Government's "failing economy".
The Auckland seat was vacated by National MP Pansy Wong over the misuse of her international travel subsidy.
Ten people will run in the by-election, and on Saturday Labour's candidate, Michael Wood, kicked off his campaign before about 80 supporters at an open-air gathering next to Tupu Library.
Mr Wood says people in the electorate are struggling under the Prime Minister John Key's failing economy.
He says the by-election will be all about rising living costs and unemployment, which is affecting ordinary working people.
Labour leader Phil Goff says Botany may be a National Party stronghold, but Labour will be fighting as hard as it can to win the seat on 5 March.
He says comments that the party has already thrown in the towel couldn't be further from the truth.
