Green Party out of byelection

The Green Party has decided not to contest the Northland byelection despite a strong showing in last year's general election.

The byelection, due to take place on March 28, was forced by the resignation of National MP Mike Sabin last month.

Labour has already named lawyer and Far North District councillor Willow-Jean Prime as its candidate, National has named a shortlist of five possible replacement candidates, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has yet to announce his plans, although he is understood to be seriously considering a run for the seat.

In the 2014 election the Greens' Kerikeri-based David Clendon polled 3639 votes, placing him third behind Mr Sabin (18,269) and Mrs Prime (8969).

The Greens had yet to make an official announcement at edition time yesterday but the Advocate understands the party executive had decided not to contest the byelection.

The party believes the time and money required to wage another election campaign would be better spent promoting key policies in areas such as climate change. The more pressing need to choose a replacement for departing co-leader Russel Norman may also be a factor.

Meanwhile, Mrs Prime is officially launching her campaign at the Kawakawa RSA at noon on Sunday. Speakers will include party leader Andrew Little and Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis.

National Party Northland delegates will elect their new candidate at a meeting in Kaikohe on February 28. They will choose between Mita Harris, Matt King, Grant McCallum, Mark Osborne and Karen Rolleston. Mr Harris, Mr King and Mr McCallum put their hands up for the job last time the seat was vacated, by the retirement of long-standing MP John Carter in 2011.

Robin Grieve, who stood in Whangarei in the 2014 election, will contest the seat for Act.

In the unlikely event that National lost the byelection, the Government would be placed in the awkward position of needing support from Peter Dunne or the Maori Party for controversial law changes such as its planned reform of the Resource Management Act.