The seat was vacated by former National Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong, who announced her resignation from the New Zealand Parliament on 14 December 2010 following allegations her husband Sammy had misused taxpayer money in relation to overseas travel.

[3] The National Party selected Jami-Lee Ross, a member of the Auckland Council representing Howick, as their candidate.

[4][5] He was selected from a shortlist of five candidates,[4] the other four being former Auckland City councillor Aaron Bhatnagar,[6] media presenter Maggie Barry,[7] Elim Christian College teacher Darron Gedge,[8][9] and health research scientist Edward Saafi.

[10] The list was not released, but was reported to include Denise Krum (a National Party official and former president of United Future),[5] Ram Rai (a National Party official),[9] Ken Yee (a former Manukau City councillor and unsuccessful candidate for Manukau East),[9][11] Youngshin Watkins,[9] and Daniel Newman.

[9] Other names that had been speculated included current list MP Melissa Lee (who had unsuccessfully contested the Mount Albert by-election earlier in the parliamentary term), party official Kit Parkinson,[12] and Howick Local Board chairman Michael Williams.

[22] Wood claimed Ross was "too scared" to have a TV debate with him on the "big issues",[21] while making a pledge "to drive penis lollies out of the community".

[27] Wayne Young, made homeless by the leaky homes crisis, wanted building standards to be strengthened.

It is alleged that the United Chinese Press newspaper published a front-page article on election day endorsing Paul Young.

[31] The editor of the United Chinese Press insists the newspaper in question was printed on the day before, and therefore legal.