KEY POINTS:
The Greens are trying to play a game of deal-but-no-deal with Labour.
Yesterday, they completely ruled out helping National to form a government, again putting themselves at the beck and call of Labour with basically no bargaining power.
But co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said that while playing the two
major parties off against each other could help get the "baubles of office", this was not the Greens' way.
"The Green Party is too honest to do that. We owe it to Green supporters and to the country as a whole to put our votes with a positive programme for change."
Ms Fitzsimons said the Greens could not be taken for granted, as in 2005 when Labour shut them out of Government by putting together deals with NZ First and United Future.
This time the post-election numbers would be different and would drive the deal, she said.
"We think this time it's looking as though we are much more likely to have the numbers we need to negotiate the sort of outcome we want."
Ms Fitzsimons would not outline the party's negotiating positions, but said voters were aware of its stances on climate change, preparing for the end of cheap oil and food safety and affordability.
Even if it could get some concessions from National, "we would not use our votes to put National into government. They are just too far away from the direction that the Greens believe we have to go for the sake of our children and the planet".
Co-leader Russel Norman said those looking for a "progressive" government needed to vote Green.
"If you give it [your party vote] to Labour, goodness knows what you are going to get. Last time you got Winston Peters and Peter Dunne."
National leader John Key said New Zealand should be cautious of a Labour-Greens-NZ First government. The Greens wanted a government on their terms, "and that means a no-growth economy".
"A Labour-Greens-NZ First government that doesn't care about economic growth, so [I don't know why] Helen Clark is even trying to pretend she's talking about economic growth when she's going to bed in a relationship with the Greens."
Mr Key had no doubt that a Labour-Greens-NZ First government would go back and change the Emissions Trading Scheme to make it "even less business-friendly".
"The Greens are making it clear they will enter government on their terms. Helen Clark needs the Greens and she will do whatever it takes to get a fourth term. I'd say to New Zealanders, be very cautious about that arrangement because Helen Clark is prepared to sell your job down the river and economic growth is going to go on the backburner."