MPs competing for the Labour leadership addressed a meeting in Tauranga on Wednesday night.
About 120 people turned out to hear from David Cunliffe, Shane Jones and Grant Robertson speak.
Mr Cunliffe said Bay of Plenty used to think of itself as a favoured region for the National Party.
But he said local MP Simon Bridges' smirk is starting to look pretty hollow since the Rena disaster and the spread of the PSA disease.
Mr Jones referred to Mr Bridges as a pup.
Mr Robertson said Tauranga was a target for Labour's kiwibuild policy.
The next meeting for the Labour leadership trio is in Hamilton on Thursday night.
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