Candidate goes all out for party vote

GO GREEN: John Hart says he wants to see party votes, not electorate votes.

I'm not seeking the electorate vote, says Green Party candidate John Hart.

Mr Hart declared his wish for voters to give their party vote to the Greens during a candidates' meeting at the Carterton Events Centre on Wednesday night.

"I'm not specifically asking for your electorate vote," he told the audience.

"I would ask for your party vote in September."

Mr Hart, a sheep and beef farmer from Rangitumau, said Wairarapa could have two MPs, based on his ranking on the Green Party list.

Mr Hart is ranked 18th on the list.

The Greens have pledged to pursue a minimum of 15 per cent of the party vote, securing places for 20 MPs.

In 2011 they received 11 per cent, earning them 14 places.

Speaking to the Times-Age after the meeting, Mr Hart said it was probably the first time he had publicly declared he was not seeking the electorate vote.

"I really only want the party vote," he said.

"I'm not saying 'don't vote for me', but if we are in a very close election, I would be disappointed to take votes away."

In the 2011 election, the Green Party candidate, Sea Rottmann, received nearly 3000 electorate votes.

Mr Hart's message to voters is party vote Green, and choose the person they want to have for the electorate.

He said the audience "really responded" to the thought of having a second MP.