KEY POINTS:
Labour is refurbishing its electorate office in Mangere as it prepares to do battle with its former flag-bearer in the seat, Taito Phillip Field, whose fledgling efforts to launch a Pacific Party appear to be gaining support.
Mr Field, now the independent MP for Mangere, met more than 40 church leaders at the weekend to sound out support for the new party, to be based on family and religious values.
Mr Field said more than 250 people had signed up and he believed he would easily gain the 500 needed to register it officially as a political party.
He is pressing on with the plan despite uncertainty about whether police will decide to prosecute him over his dealings with immigrants.
If Mr Field is not prosecuted, it is thought he could win significant support among the Pacific community.
Asked last night if she was concerned by that prospect, Prime Minister Helen Clark said she remained confident of strong, continuing support from Pasifika people.
"Of course he'll have a go," she said.
"But I think there's a recognition among Pasifika people that our Labour-led Government has delivered a tremendous amount to the constituency, which has been loyal to us over a long period of time.
"The last thing that constituency would want is a change of Government."
Labour's electorate office in Mangere, formerly occupied by Mr Field, is to reopen with fresh branding to house list MPs Darien Fenton and Dave Hereora as the party tries to regain a visible presence in the area.
Labour will soon begin to consider nominees to stand as its candidate in the Mangere seat at the next election.
- Additional reporting NZPA
