New Zealand First will not be standing a candidate in Auckland's Northcote electorate, leader Winston Peters announced today.
The June 9 by-election will decide Jonathan Coleman's replacement.
Mr Peters criticised Dr Coleman standing down as a Member of Parliament.
"The consensus view of New Zealand First is that standing a candidate endorses a former National Member of Parliament, Jonathan Coleman, walking out on his electorate," Mr Peters said in a press release.
"Northcote voters will no doubt react in the by-election to the flimsy reason for unnecessarily returning to the polls a mere six months since Northcote voters made their last choice," he said.
Dr Coleman left parliament to head a private health company.
National is standing Dan Bidois and Labour has put Shanan Halbert forward, and the Green Party said it will stand a yet-to-be announced candidate.
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