Gareth Morgan considers standing in Epsom against Act leader

The Opportunities Party leader Gareth Morgan this week in Wellington. Photo/ Mark Mitchell.

Gareth Morgan, the leader of the Opportunities Party, is said to be considering standing in Epsom against Act leader David Seymour in the September 23 election.

Seymour, a first-term MP, holds the seat with a 4250 majority.

Morgan rated two per cent in the Herald ZB Kantar TNS poll this week which asked: "who do you think is most capable of running the Government?"

However his support was only 1 per cent in Auckland and he polled 4 per cent in Canterbury and Wellington, where he lives.

Seymour did not rate.

The Opportunities Party also rated 1 per cent in the latest 1 News Colmar Brunton poll on party vote, which could mean three MPs with an electorate.

Winning an electorate seat means a party does not have to reach the five per cent threshold before getting MPs.

Morgan, a millionaire economist and author, launched his party this year but has not decided whether to stand in an electorate or just stand on the party list.

A party source said tonight Morgan was actively considering the Epsom option partly because of the Herald ZB poll.

Among the party's radical policies are cutting superannuation for the wealthy, giving an unconditional allowance of $200 a week to young people, parents of children under three, legalising and regulating cannabis, and applying tax to all productive assets including housing and land.

Morgan has locked horns with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and expressed concern at the prospect of him holding the balance of power after the election.