The leaders of the Labour and National parties have been out and about as campaigning continues.

In Lower Hutt, Christopher Luxon's day started with his press conference being gatecrashed by Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams.

Later the National leader hopped from cafe to factory speaking with voters, stopping for a coffee named 'Lux Hot Chocolate', before trying his hand at packing a box of corn chips. He was joined by Chris Bishop and Remutaka candidate Emma Chatterton.

In Christchurch, Labour's Chris Hipkins was busy asking for feedback about a Budget decision. He spoke to pharmacists asking about the impact of free prescriptions, which the government funded in this year's Budget.

He was expected to be around the city for the rest of the day.

The government's books will be opened today ahead of the October election, so all parties know what they will be dealing with.

Treasury will this afternoon publish its Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU).

The July update delivered the surprise news of a $2 billion drop in the expected tax take, over most of the last financial year.

Today's update will give the full picture, as well as forecasts for the likes of unemployment, inflation and wage growth.

Get all the updates on the RNZ blog: