14 Apr 2009

Greens to contest Mt Albert by-election

11:08 am on 14 April 2009

Despite concerns from the Labour Party, the Green Party intends to run a candidate in the Mount Albert by-election.

A by-election will be held in the electorate after the retirement of former Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Greens co-leader Russel Norman says a selection meeting will be held in Mount Albert to appoint a panel who will chose a candidate by the end of the month. He says the party has a good chance in the electorate.

Dr Norman says Labour has informally raised concerns that a Green candidate would split the left vote.

But he says the Greens believe it is important the party has a presence in the by-election, which will have national prominence.