Grant Robertson and David Parker are sure to press their Dunedin credentials in the leadership meeting at Dunedin's College of Education while Andrew Little, a former union leader, and Nanaia Mahuta will bring different strengths to their campaigns.
Former Dunedin North MP Stan Rodger, who told the Otago Daily Times he remained a loyal Labour supporter after 55 years of membership, expected a large crowd to attend.
A recent late afternoon meeting in Dunedin North to discuss the leadership attracted about 60 people and there was genuine interest in the contest, he said.
It was only last year Labour elected David Cunliffe and Mr Rodger acknowledged it might have been wise for the party to wait for the review of its election defeat to be concluded before electing a new leader.
Choosing a candidate to best solve the problems and work with the new goals would have been preferable but Mr Rodger said Labour did not like the void in Parliament caused by waiting until December when the review process was completed.
''It's a bit untidy having first an acting leader then an acting acting leader.''
But he acknowledged the work being carried out by acting deputy leader Annette King.
Many people believed the older members of caucus were past their best, but they were providing experience and wise counsel in Parliament.
''This is just part of the process we have to work with as a Labour Party. I just hope the person who comes out of the scrum can work with all of caucus and the party,'' Mr Rodger said.
Mr Little has been mopping up union support. The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, where he was general secretary, was the first to recommend his leadership credentials to members.
Also, the Dairy Workers Union, whose secretary, Chris Flatt, was Labour's general secretary at the same time Mr Little was party president, has recommended his candidacy to its members.
The ODT has been told work is under way in Invercargill to get the Meat Workers to support Mr Robertson, who is said to have 11 members of caucus supporting him.
The contest is a preferential voting system and second preferences, and third, become increasingly important.
Ms Mahuta is not expected to win the contest but the second preferences of her supporters could well decide the contest.
Each candidate gets to address the audience for seven minutes in an open forum before the media is excluded for the question and answer session.
