Key to lead Nats Mana campaign

Prime Minister John Key will lead National's campaign in the Mana by-election, going up against Labour's Phil Goff in the challenge for the seat.

Mr Key confirmed today he planned "a series of visits" to Mana delivering National's message as the party tries to capture an electorate which has been Labour territory for more than 50 years.

Labour's Winnie Laban retained the seat with a majority of more than 6000 in the 2008 election, and she is leaving Parliament to take up a position at Victoria University.

National has selected Hekia Parata, a list MP, as its candidate while Labour is putting up Kris Faafoi, Mr Goff's chief press secretary.

"We acknowledge Mana is a safe Labour seat so there's no dressing it up from Labour that this is a hard ask," Mr Key said at his post-cabinet press conference today.

"But we think we've got a good message.

"As a government, we've had to face some significant challenges and we've met the test."

He said Ms Parata, who contested the seat in 2008, was a very good candidate.

"We're going to campaign hard in Mana but everyone would have to acknowledge we're a significant underdog," Mr Key said.

The electorate is on the outskirts of Wellington, with a predominantly Maori and Pacific Island population.

Mr Key said he didn't know when Ms Laban was leaving Parliament and would make the call on a date for the by-election when he did know.

- NZPA