It may have been the longest running 'phony' election campaign in New Zealand's history, but all pretence is to end shortly, when National starts campaigning in earnest next week.

While the reality may be that every party in the country has been on the campaign trail since the collapse of the New Zealand First/National coalition, the gloves officially come off next week for the National party.

What National party members are calling a 'campaign build-up', begins with a three week long billboard campaign to tie in with the annual conference.

Advertising screens are being hired on commuter routes in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They will promote what is being called the conference slogan - not the election slogan - A better tomorrow starts today.

Workers are talking about a four month long build-up campaign leading to a four week campaign proper in November. Though no election date has yet been announced and is unlikely to be for some time, this planning would lead to an election date on November 28 or December 5.