Prime Minister John Key has given a strong indication that National will not make a serious attempt in the November 26 election to win seats held by party leaders who support the Government.
ACT leader Rodney Hide holds Epsom, previously a National seat, and is in Parliament because of strategic voting to give the Government a partner party.
United Future leader Peter Dunne has held Ohariu, in his own right, since 1984.
Both parties have support agreements with the Government, and both leaders are ministers.
"We're certainly not embarking on a campaign to knock them out of Parliament," Mr Key said today.
"But on the other side of the coin, we recognise people are free to vote how they want and at the end of the day they may choose not to support local MPs."
Mr Key said National's main aim in Epsom would be to get as many party votes as possible but he would not be pinned down on whether that was intended to give Mr Hide a free ride on the electorate vote.
Some National Party supporters in Epsom have said they want to get rid of Mr Hide, and Mr Key said the voters were free to support whoever they wanted.
"We obviously have a constructive working relationship with ACT, but in the end whether they vote for Rodney Hide or a National candidate is in the hands of individuals in Epsom," he said.
"I'd love us to win every electorate but at the end of the day I want to win as much of the party vote as we can."
National hasn't yet selected its candidates for the seats.
Mr Key said no deals had been made with anyone.
