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The country's newest political party may have lost its last prayer at taking part in September's election.
New Zealand Public Party founder Billy Te Kahika says the party was born too late to register with the Electoral Commission.
The blues guitar singer started the party after a series of his Facebook talks questioning the Government's COVID-19 response went viral.
He says his strategy was to merge his membership with another minor party that was already registered.
He though he had a deal to merge with Hannah Tamaki's Vision New Zealand, with Ms Tamaki becoming the deputy leader, but on Monday he was told he would be the deputy.
He says that doesn't represent the integrity he would expect of a 'Christian' organisation.
An overture to the Outdoors Party also failed.
Mr Te Kahika says he is still in talks with three other minor parties.
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