"This is only the second visit we have had from a politician from any party since I started at the school, and we do really appreciate the time you have spent with us."
Philip Keenan, principal of Stratford High School, was delighted that Labour Party leader David Cunliffe made the time to visit the school while he was in Stratford last week.
"Seeing the purpose-built classrooms for the high-needs department was really encouraging," Mr Cunliffe said, adding that high-needs students will benefit from his party's disability policy.
The Labour Party is keen to encourage first-time voters to participate in this year's election, and is introducing a range of initiatives to support this.
One such initiative is the "vote challenge". Modelled on the recently popular "ice challenge" on social media, the idea is for young voters to challenge others to vote once they have done so themselves.
"Voting is open from September 3, so we are hoping to get people voting early, so they don't miss out on having their say because they can't vote on election day," Mr Cunliffe said.
Adrian Rurawhe, the Labour candidate for Te Tai Hauauru, thinks this will help get more young people exercising their right to vote.
Mr Keenan said that the visit from Mr Cunliffe and his colleagues was "a good opportunity to hear how they see education in the future and what they think our students need".