The main candidates standing in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election have joined forces in an attempt to get more voters to join the Maori Roll.
Writing in a letter to networks within Maoridom, they say If every Maori voter chooses to go on the Maori roll there could be at least 13 Maori seats.
Currently there are seven Maori seats in a Parliament of 121.
Those standing for the East Coast electorate say their tupuna worked hard to secure the seats and it's their collective responsibility to strengthen the voice of tangata whenua in Parliament as the Maori population grows.
The candidates are: Green Party, Marama Davidson; Mana Party, Te Hamua Nikora; Maori Party, Na Raihania; Labour Party, Meka Whaitiri.
The by-election will be held on Saturday 29 June.
