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Green MP Metiria Turei says she will be campaigning for party votes in the Dunedin North electorate rather than standing in a Maori seat at this year's election.
In the 2002 election Ms Turei stood in Tamaki Makaurau and in 2005 Te Tai Tonga.
Ms Turei said she supported the Maori seats and the opportunity these provided for guaranteed Maori representation, and it was the Greens policy to support the existence of the Maori seats for as long as Maori wanted them.
When she stood in Te Tai Tonga, her personal profile meant she gained a significant number of electorate votes, Ms Turei said.
But the Greens needed to gain as many party votes as possible at this election. To stay in Parliament, the Greens must cross the 5 per cent party vote threshold.
"There is no gain for the Greens in my being squashed in an electorate fight" between Labour and the Maori Party in a Maori seat.
Instead, she would focus on getting party votes for the Greens in the Dunedin North electorate, she said.
- NZPA
