Fox complaint 'waste of time'

A formal complaint about Derek Fox's Maori Party candidacy by former partner Atareta Poananga is unlikely to strip him of his position.

Party co-leader Pita Sharples said a complaint would be a waste of time because Ms Poananga did not finish runner-up to Fox in the five-way contest to stand in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat.

"I don't know why she's doing that. She wasn't next."

But this week Ms Poananga said she hoped to bring the matter up at a July 19 hui.

Mr Fox won the opportunity to stand against the incumbent Labour MP, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.

Ms Poananga would not comment yesterday.