Editorial: Sneaky, but our system works

And so the careful politicking begins with Prime Minister John Key recommending who National voters should tick in the Ohariu and Epsom electorates at the September 20 elections.

While you could scoff at the tactics as being sneaky that's MMP, which is after all the system we voted for.

How can we be critical when this is exactly what MMP allows?

On Sunday National released its party list and has ranked its candidates from the Ohariu and Epsom electorates in high list places.

The highest ranked non-MP is Brett Hudson, National's new candidate in Ohariu.

Ohariu is currently held by United Future leader Peter Dunne, one of the National Government's support partners.

Mr Key yesterday guided National voters in Ohariu and Epsom to give their electorate votes to Mr Dunne and Act's David Seymour to try to ensure National has support partner options.

Yes MMP allows political parties to manipulate voters, but it also allows us to vote for the best person for the job.

Take Rotorua for instance. You might be a staunch National or Labour supporter yet firmly believe someone from a rival party would do the best job for our city in Parliament.

That might see loyal Labourites voting for National's Todd McClay or true blue Tories giving their vote to Labour's Tamati Coffey.

In every case voters should use their party vote to pick their preferred party based on policies and performance and for their electorates give their support to the candidate who shines as a worthy winner.