Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell is picking an August or September election, which is why the party needs to get candidates in place early.

At the weekend it confirmed former rugby league international Howie Tamati as its Te Tai Hauauru candiate.

The decision was made by a national panel rather than leaving it to the individual electorate organisation as in past elections.

The last possible date for an election is November 18, as the last election was held on September 20.

While the Prime Minister has only said the election will be in the back half of next year, Mr Flavell expects him to go to the polls early.

"There’s every indication that there'll be an election somewhere in September maybe, August, September, a little bit earlier than normal, bearing in mind that there's some rugby tests and stuff that will come in and you never have those on a rugby test day. So there is a little bit of work to be done and we are determined to get everyone over the line as soon as possible," he says.

Te Ururoa Flavell says the selection of the Tamaki Makaurau candidate has been delayed, but the party intends to confirm all its Maori seat candidates by February so they can raise their campaign war chests and build up name recognition.

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