Maori Party candidate ahead in Waiariki

Labour MP Mita Ririnui is trailing his Maori Party opponent in the Waiariki electorate, a poll released by TVNZ's Marae programme shows.

The poll of 400 voters enrolled in the electorate gave the Maori Party's Te Ururoa Flavell 53.6 per cent support and Mr Ririnui 35.9 per cent.

When those surveyed were asked which party they would support with their party vote, 42.7 per cent said the Maori Party and 40.3 per cent said Labour.

New Zealand First was third with 7.5 per cent and National fourth on 4.8 per cent.

The party vote result was similar to other polls taken in the Maori seats.

Labour has been strongly favoured over National, which is likely to have an effect on which of the main parties the Maori Party will support in Parliament.

Co-leader Tariana Turia has said she will "go back to the voters" after the election to find out what they want her party to do in Parliament.

She is likely to call a hui and says a decision can be reached in about a week.

The Marae-DigiPoll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 per cent.

- NZPA