February 20, 2015
Greens bystanders as Northland race heats up


The Greens will be wallflowers for the Northland by-election.
Co-convenor John Ranta says rather than expend energy on standing a candidate in the safe National seat, the party will instead focus on its nationwide climate change and inequality campaigns.
Labour's Willow Jean Prime launches her campaign at the Kawakawa Returned Services Association on Sunday.
Party members and MPs are likely to be highly visible in the electorate as the Ngati Hine lawyer and Far North District Councilor tried to whittle back the 9300 majority National's Mike Sabine recorded in September's general election.
National delegates will pick the party's candidate on February 28 from a slate of five candidates including Northland Conservation Board chair Mita Harris.
That's also the day New Zealand First leader Winston Peters will announce whether he's standing.
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