The Labour Party's making another early election thrust into the Bay of Plenty by bringing two of its young guns to town this week.

One is Labour's newly chosen candidate for the Waiariki electorate and former TV personality Tamati Coffey.

The other is Michael Wood, who pulled off a stunning by-election victory for Labour in Mount Roskill last year.

They're holding a community meeting at the Arataki Community Centre on Thursday.

The Labour Party's Bay of Plenty electorate chairman, Russell Langton, says it'll provide local residents with the opportunity to meet both Tamati and Michael and hear how Labour intends to change the government.

'We know it's been a very tough year for people in the Bay particularly with rising rental and house prices. Some people are finding it extremely hard to make ends meet,” says Russell.

'There's a high level of concern that more and more of our fellow residents including children and elderly are having to live in their cars, in caravans, and even in public toilets.”

He says both Tamati and Michael are very good listeners and they want to hear from local people about their situations.

The meeting's being held at the Arataki Community Centre on Thursday, January 19, at 6.30pm.