Smaller parties take a punt on policies

Minor parties do not usually get much of a look-in during election campaigns - unless they suddenly threaten to achieve major status.

Thanks to a National Party offensive last week, we know the Greens want to decriminalise cannabis.

Aware of public feeling on law and order, the party says the move would save $29 million a year for community policing.

The Greens strongly disagree with the free trade and economic growth policies favoured by most big parties, including their likely coalition partner, Labour.

They want to replace gross domestic product figures with a set of accounts that distinguishes between good and bad economic activity.

Many Green policies, such as support for organic farming and more funding for the Department of Conservation, may get a sympathetic hearing from Labour and the Alliance. But head-on clashes look likely over the Greens' support for more tariffs, a five-year moratorium on motorway building and putting up to 20 per cent of the coastline into marine reserve.

Mauri Pacific, whose slim hopes lie in leader Tau Henare holding his seat in Te Tai Tokerau (Northern Maori), is best known for its various policies to promote the Maori language.

These include bilingual road signs and compulsory Maori for public servants and schoolchildren until form two.

Mauri Pacific also wants to give Maori lore the same status as New Zealand's existing British-derived law.

The party supports education vouchers allowing parents to send their children to Maori schools.

Mauri Pacific would temporarily waive taxes for students paying back their loans and build six-bedroom houses for extended Maori and Pacific Island families.

United will have one seat but probably no more. Leader Peter Dunne is almost certain to hold his Ohariu-Belmont electorate in Wellington, as National will not run a candidate against him.

Like National and Act, United wants to cut the top 33c tax rate to 30c. Mr Dunne also wants to scrap the fringe benefit tax.

The party's merger with the Ethnic Minority Party shows in its pro-immigration economic policy and support for teaching English as a second language.

Christian Heritage looks doomed to spend more time in the wilderness, as it has so far failed to reach even 3 per cent in the polls.

The party would bring back the death penalty for clearcut cases of murder and stop most abortions. Contraceptive advice could not be given to under-16s without their parents' consent.

The party promises to stop foreigners owning land in New Zealand and to bring back tariffs to create full employment.