No Greens candidate in Rangitikei

Photo/File

The Green Party will not stand a candidate in the Rangitikei electorate this year, after it was revealed last month the party would also not be represented in Whanganui.

It leaves a sizeable chunk of the central North Island without a candidate from the country's third-largest party.

Maree Brannigan stood in the Rangitikei seat in 2011, getting a touch over 2000 votes. But the Mangaweka woman said she would be out of the country during the campaign period, which made her unavailable.

She hoped the lack of a candidate wouldn't have too much of an impact, but admitted it had helped last time around.

"The Green Party vote certainly increased having a candidate, there's no question about that. I think it's always good to have a face."

She said it was a tough electorate for a Green candidate to contest.

Ms Brannigan, who also ran for the Rangitikei mayoralty last year, said Te Tai Hauauru candidate Jack McDonald would fly the flag for the party in Rangitikei. "I would expect that at formal talks he'll be there to speak on behalf of the Greens. Being in the top 20 now, the party backs him."

Labour candidate for Rangitikei Deborah Russell said the Greens usually campaigned for the party vote, but she expected she may pick up votes with them not standing. "I guess if people are looking for a left-wing vote in Rangitikei, then at the moment then they can vote the Labour candidate or no one."

She said Ms Brannigan had been a good candidate and in a way it was a shame no one was standing. "But it's a big electorate, so I can understand."

Last month former Whanganui Green candidate John Milnes said he would not be standing and the party had not been able to find a replacement.

New Plymouth candidate Sarah Roberts and Mr McDonald would promote the party in Whanganui, he said.