On Sunday, he and competitors David Cunliffe and Grant Robertson head to Auckland for two meetings with party faithful.

 

They kicked off the roadshow on Saturday with a packed meeting of 300 supporters in Levin.

 

The trio greeted each other politely at the Horowhenua Events Centre and their speeches were similarly civil.

 

The three are pledging they'll play nice, at least, for the party's sake.

 

However, Mr Jones - always one to speak his mind - says he'll give as good as he receives.

 

"I don't think it'll turn out exactly like it has today when we go through Auckland, Whangarei, Wellington et cetera," he said after Saturday's meeting.

 

"All I've really said is we've all got strengths and weaknesses, but I've sent a message to their supporters: anyone thinking they're going to humiliate me, then venomous will be the return."

 

The candidates are travelling the country for 12 meetings, before the new leader is named on September 15.

 

David Shearer stood down in August.

 

Under Labour's leadership election rules, the caucus has 40 per cent of the vote, party members 40 per cent and five affiliated unions 20 per cent.