No truth to Helensville speculation - Peters

NZ First leader Winston Peters. Photo / Herald on Sunday

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says there is no truth to speculation he intends to stand in Prime Minister John Key's Helensville seat at next year's general election.

However, he again did not rule it out and said decisions about candidates and electorates were some months away.

In a speech last month Mr Peters said he was settled in Auckland and re-affirmed he wouldn't stand in his old Tauranga seat.

Despite not having come to a party decision on contesting seats, he did not deny Helensville was a possibility.

He called the electorate, which Mr Key has a strong hold on, an "interesting proposition" and said campaigning there would force Mr Key to "turn up and have a debate".

Mr Key won the seat in 2005 then in 2008 with a majority of more than 20,000 and, while unlikely to unseat him, a challenge from Mr Peters would at least cause some disruptions.

Mr Peters said he would also "love to think about standing in Epsom, but I would never want to have a duel of wits with an unarmed opponent".

Epsom is held by ACT leader Rodney Hide.

In notes for a speech in Palmerston North today, Mr Peters said it was news to him that he intended to stand in Helensville.

That story had developed a life of its own and supporters should not trust the media, he said.

"It has never occurred to New Zealand First for its leader to stand in Helensville."

- NZPA