Tanczos set to throw his hat in the ring

Nandor Tanczos has given his strongest indication yet that he will seek to succeed the late Rod Donald as co-leader of the Green Party.

The party executive has told contenders not to announce their candidacy publicly until after nominations close on April 21.

The English-born Rastafarian said the party's edict prevented him from confirming widespread speculation he would go for the job but added: "I'm certainly not ruling it out."

The 40-year-old lost his place in Parliament at the last election after being demoted on the party list but came back when Mr Donald died suddenly in November.

Speaking to the Herald on Sunday, Mr Tanczos scotched suggestions his seeming reluctance to return to Parliament - which he once dubbed a "toxic hellhole" - meant he would be insufficiently dedicated to be co-leader.

"Having given a great deal of thought as to whether I was going to return to Parliament when Rod passed on and having made the decision to do so, let me say that as far as I'm concerned it's full steam ahead," he said.

One of Parliament's most polarising figures, he could prove a controversial counterpart for Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Auckland University political scientist Dr Raymond Miller said that while the dreadlocked MP was seen by some as representing the "extreme pro-cannabis wing" of the Greens, he also had a national profile and an established support base among younger and student voters.

"The sort of people who are likely to say that he will give the party a bad image aren't the sort of people who are likely to support the Greens anyway," he said.

The new co-leader will be elected by party members at their annual conference over the Queen's Birthday weekend. There must be one female and one male leader.