Greens expect coalition deal within a week

The Green Party expects the final shape of the Government to be known by the end of next week at the latest.

It says a policy deal between it and Labour is close to being finalised.

Caretaker Prime Minister Helen Clark has been holding talks with potential support parties as she seeks to get a majority of at least 61 votes, or arrangements which would safeguard her government.

The Greens are committed to supporting a Labour-led government, either in coalition or in a support role.

Talks between officials continued yesterday but no talks are scheduled with party leaders over the weekend. These are set to resume next week.

Greens co-leader Rod Donald said yesterday a policy agreement between the Greens and Labour was almost finalised.

"We're on the home straight, but we're not quite at the finish line yet," he said. "It's an old but true cliche that the devil is in the detail."

The Greens are aiming for a coalition with Labour, but Helen Clark is also talking to New Zealand First and United Future, who have both voiced opposition to the Greens holding cabinet roles.

The Green negotiating team needs to have any agreement ratified by its membership.

A special general meeting of party delegates, which had been scheduled for today, had been deferred until October 15 because not all the details had been sorted out in the agreement.

This meeting could be brought forward if necessary, Mr Donald said.

"We've done our best to do everything within one week but it just hasn't been possible," he said.

"I think the final shape of the Government will be clear by the end of next weekend at the latest."

He has described Labour's negotiators as "very experienced" and asked whether they were hard or fair, he said "both".

Progressive MP Jim Anderton will be a coalition partner for Labour, so with the Greens' six votes Helen Clark would have 57.

That means she would also need an agreement with New Zealand First, which has seven MPs, or the Maori Party, which has four.

Helen Clark has also said she would like the broadest support possible for her government and is also talking to United Future leader Peter Dunne.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has said he will provide stability for the new government by either abstaining on confidence votes, or voting with it if necessary.

The Maori Party is holding a series of hui around the country to get feedback from members and will not announce its preferred position until Monday.

Miss Clark is not expected to meet its co-leaders, Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples, until after that.

- NZPA