Key: Conservative Party a possible coalition partner

Prime Minister John Key. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key says the Conservative Party is a possible coalition partner for National.

Mr Key told TV3's Firstline programme today that he could work with Conservative leader Colin Craig.

"He's a possible partner, yeah. He polled 2.5 per cent in the last election so often the smaller parties don't do so well in the polls but come election day they do a bit better when people are actually forced to say who they're going to vote for.

"He's certainly out there actively targeting Winston Peters' base - talking to Grey Power, talking to the people that traditionally Winston Peters would have gone and spoken to."

The Prime Minister said some of Mr Craig's views, which include opposition to gay marriage, were "definitely" not aligned with those of the National Party.

"He has some moral views which would probably be different to our take on things, but you've got to remember those moral issues are a conscience vote so even if he got into Parliament it doesn't mean that agenda's going to be progressed because it would take the majority will of the Parliament."