Contest for Greens co-leader wide open

The race to become the Green Party male co-leader looks too close to call, with preference votes expected to be crucial in finding Rod Donald's successor.

Of the four candidates to replace Mr Donald, who died suddenly last November, MP Nandor Tanczos and campaign manager Russel Norman appear to have opened up a gap between themselves and Dave Clendon and former MP Mike Ward.

However, the preferential voting system Green members will use to cast ballots at this weekend's party conference lends itself to a wide-open contest and an element of uncertainty.

While not conceding defeat, Mike Ward said he thought the younger candidates had an edge over him.

But he did not regret standing, saying he felt he had put important issues up for consideration by the party.

The remaining three candidates expect the mood of the conference on the day to matter as much as their campaigning leading up to the Wellington gathering .

"Some delegates are going with clear instructions from their electorates and others are basically being told to make a decision on the day," Mr Clendon said.

"It's going to be very close whichever way it goes."

Mr Tanczos said the campaign had focused members' attention on where the Greens were going as a party.

"We've had a very healthy debate about that and whatever the result, that's a good foundation."

Mr Norman said the profile the election race had given the Greens meant that the party had already gained from the contest.

"It's been constructive and I feel it's been a model of how to run a co-leadership contest.

"I suspect it's going to be between Nandor and I. That's been all the media speculation and I think that's probably how it's going to be. I'm confident, but it's going to be pretty close."

Green Party male co-leader election candidates:

Dave Clendon: Auckland-based lecturer in environmental management. Former Green local body and parliamentary electorate candidate (Waitakere, 1999, 2005). Party national co-convener 2001-03.

Russel Norman: Wellington-based Green Party development co-ordinator. Former Green electorate candidate (Rimutaka 2002). List candidate and campaign manager 2005.

Nandor Tanczos: Auckland-based co-founder of Hempstore Aotearoa. Auckland Central candidate in 1999, elected to Parliament from fifth on Green Party list. Lost seat in 2005 election, but returned to Parliament after death of Rod Donald.

Mike Ward: Nelson-based artist and former city councillor with long-time involvement with Values Party (co-leader 1984-89) and the Greens. Elected to Parliament in 2002 as a list MP but missed re-election in 2005.