An unsuccessful election candidate wants New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and all his MPs thrown out of Parliament for an alleged breach of the Electoral Act.
Tuporo (Tommy) Matatai Maroroa, who received just 35 votes as an independent in the Manurewa seat won by Labour's George Hawkins, says that NZ First failed to show the name and address of persons authorising their handbills and posters. Mr Maroroa is also taking action against the Labour MP for Mangere, Taito Phillip Field, and Alliance leader Laila Harre and her candidates for similar alleged breaches.
He is suing the chief electoral officer for allegedly not acting on the complaints during the campaign.
A hearing in the High Court at Auckland yesterday was adjourned for affidavits to be filed and for Mr Maroroa to pay security for costs of $1000 per respondent into court - a total of $4000 - as provided for under the legislation.
Outside the court, Mr Maroroa said: "This is not justice. If I cannot find the money, then they can't hear my case."
In court papers Mr Maroroa says he wants unsuccessful candidates fined, successful candidates to have their votes disallowed, and all candidates who breached the act banned from standing for Parliament again.
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