Act will stand in Māori seats

RADIO NEW ZEALAND: The Act Party intends to stand candidates in the seven Maori seats in the election, despite its policy to abolish the seats.

It has not contested the Maori electorates since the 1999 general election, but party leader Rodney Hide says it wants to reach out to as many voters as possible.

He says Act has always been upfront about its policies, including the abolition of the Maori seats and opposition to Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

Mr Hide says it has made the decision to stand in the seats, in principle, and now has to find suitable candidates.

Cabinet minister Shane Jones is accusing the Act and Maori parties of conspiring to secure more votes.

He says Act will try to harvest the party vote, while promoting the Maori Party candidates in the seats.

The Maori and Act parties have rejected the claims as ridiculous.