United's lineup resembles UN

The United Party list is "the coming face of New Zealand," according to its leader, Peter Dunne.

It is a list that reads more like a roll call of the United Nations than the United Party, with 10 different nationalities represented.

Mr Dunne has been flying the party flag alone in Parliament for the past three years, since his five colleagues, all defectors from Labour or National, were dumped in the last election.

National has again chosen not to stand a candidate against Mr Dunne in his Wellington seat of Ohariu-Belmont, but current polling suggests that he will again be the sole United MP when Parliament reconvenes.

The party has, however, re-invented itself over the past three years, incorporating the Ethnic Minority Party, Advance NZ and the Conservative Party (formerly ROC) into its fold, becoming an amalgam of the "minnows."

While the polls indicate that Mr Dunne will be a one-man parliamentary band, United could produce a surprise result and secure enough votes to send a list candidate, party president Mike Sheppard, into the House.

The party is proud of its internationally diverse list, featuring candidates from Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Tonga, India and Fiji.

The list includes surgeons, journalists and business managers, who all seem as keen as mustard to play a role in the politics of their adopted homeland.

While their names might not mean much to most New Zealand voters, they are well known and respected in their respective communities.

"These people are coming in with valid concerns - they could have gone to any party, but Peter has appealed to them," says Mr Sheppard.

"The basic message is - if there is a three-party coalition - do you want three Peter Dunnes or three Winston Peters?"

United needs to get about 1.2 per cent of all the party votes on polling day to send both Mr Sheppard and Mr Dunne into Parliament.