Nats board would need to OK investigation into Peters spending

Any counter-claim by Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson into the spending of his rival for the seat, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters would have to be signed off by National's board, party president Judy Kirk says.

Mr Clarkson said yesterday speculation over launching a retaliatory investigation into Winston Peters' election spending had him thinking about the idea.

Last week Mr Peters filed a petition with the High Court at Tauranga over Mr Clarkson's spending.

Yesterday Act Party publication The Letter said Mr Clarkson's team was investigating making a counter-claim against Mr Peters.

Mr Clarkson said that was not the case, but he admitted he was now thinking about it.

"We have done nothing, we haven't thought about doing anything on challenging him, but I'm not saying we won't," he said.

"Winston was always questionable about what he was spending."

Mr Clarkson said if the party decided to go ahead with a counter claim all avenues would be looked at.

"There might be some questions to be answered -- he might have used a lot of his leader's budget in Tauranga."

National Party president Judy Kirk today told NZPA any investigation and possible petition would have to be run past her and the party's board.

She had not received an approach from any candidate. Any request to launch such an investigation would be judged on its merits, she said.

A NZ First spokesman said Mr Peters had not overspent.

Meanwhile a Labour Party investigation into Act leader Rodney Hide's election spending is ongoing.

Mr Hide beat National's Richard Worth to take Epsom and commentators say Labour want to rid themselves of the Act leader who is very effective in opposition.

Labour Party president Mike Williams said last week they believed Mr Hide had overspent in Epsom and wanted to uphold electoral integrity.

The party would decide by October 25 whether to proceed with a petition to the High Court.

If a petition is successful a by-election can be held or the other leading candidate declared the winner.

Experts say the decision should not affect party list proportionality unless an accompanying bid to the Court of Appeal was successful.

- NZPA