The election race is set to crank up another gear today.

New Zealand First will launch its campaign for this year's election in Auckland this afternoon.

NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says NZ First has been underperforming in recent polls, but some are confident they'll reach the 5 percent threshold.

"There are people here, people who've been with the party for a long time, people who are higher up in the leadership who are adamant that they are returning. They have ultimate confidence."

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