Editorial: Tussle one to watch

Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo / Ross Setford

The race for the Waiariki electorate is getting more and more interesting - which makes sense considering the result could have major ramifications for the nation.

Incumbent MP Te Ururoa Flavell is co-leader of the Maori Party, a key National Party ally. At the last two general elections National formed a minority government with support from the Maori Party among others.

They always have seemed strange bedfellows - the Maori Party was formed out of discontent over Labour's approach to the foreshore and seabed issue, in a race-relations climate still tainted by then National Party leader Don Brash's inflammatory Orewa speech.

Considering Labour's traditionally strong Maori support base (and in 2011 they had by far the biggest party vote in the Waiariki seat) you would think them a more likely political partner for the Maori Party - despite their differences in the beginning.

But the Maori Party will tell you that by working with the ruling National Party they have been in a far better position to make positive change than from opposition benches.

Quite how National's cosy relationship with the Act "No legal privilege for Maori" Party sits with Maori voters is not clear.

Meanwhile, on the left, the machinations of MMP are set for a good workout.

A win for Internet Mana's Annette Sykes, knocking out Mr Flavell, could do major damage to National's prospects.

Would this be enough to tempt Labour voters to think outside the tick box?

Labour candidate Rawiri Waititi has made it clear this is not an option.

"We just want to quash any speculation out there that we have put any support behind Annette Sykes," he said.

Clearly, though, at the 2011 election, at which Labour took 35 per cent of the party vote but just 24 per cent of the electorate vote, votes were being split between parties.

Waiariki voters are no strangers to strategic voting and that alone could make this electorate race one of the most fascinating in the country.