Early voting in the Hamilton West by-election begins today.

It follows Dr Gaurav Sharma's resignation, after he made allegations against Labour's political leadership for which he was kicked out of the caucus and then out of the party.

So, when it comes to its constituents, what's going on in the area?

Hamilton Budgeting Advisory trust manager Tony Agar spoke to Charlotte Cook about the growth in demand for help which was now coming from working people.