The Maori Party says co-leader Tariana Turia was not pressured to admit she "stuffed up" in effectively writing off her own candidate in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election.
Ms Turia today apologised for comments she made yesterday about Maori Party candidate Solomon Tipene's political abilities and his chances in the Saturday poll.
"I think that he has shown that he doesn't understand politics clearly, I think it would be fair to say that that's been an issue for him," she told TV3 News.
She seemed to suggest Mana Party leader Hone Harawira would win the by-election, saying: "Ideally, and I suppose if he's done the work on the ground, it should be Hone. It'll be interesting to see whether he comes through."
The Labour and Mana parties have both written off Mr Tipene, saying the by-election would be a two-horse race.
Ms Turia last night issued a statement expressing her disappointment with TV3's story, but in an unexpected twist today issued a second statement admitting she erred.
"I made a mistake. I made some comments which have been misinterpreted," she said.
"I am the first to say I stuffed up, and I am extremely distressed by the impact my mistake has had on an excellent candidate, Solomon Tipene, and our very strong support team in Te Tai Tokerau."
Ms Turia said she fully supported Mr Tipene and was absolutely committed to the survival and success of the Maori Party.
Maori Party president Pem Bird said Ms Turia had received some feedback but the party had not pressured her to issue the statement.
"In terms of a formal meeting, no, none at all," he told NZPA.
"She's honest enough and courageous enough to say she made a mistake. That's of her own volition, and that's just the type of person Tariana is. She's fronted up."
Mr Bird said the comments had not hurt Mr Tipene's chances.
"He's as upbeat as ever. He knows he's our man, he knows we're with him," he said.
"We're here doing what we always intended to do, and that is be a credible opponent and take it out. So nothing's changed for us, absolutely nothing's changed for us.
"We're over that, we're moving on."
Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said Ms Turia had not had a change of heart but had reflected on what she said.
"It was never intended to be taken in the spirit that it was interpreted -- that she has unreservedly stated her apology," he told reporters.
"The intent was never to in any way belittle Solomon or indeed all of our supporters that have given so much time over the last couple of weeks."
Mr Flavell said there had been no pressure from within the party to apologise and Ms Turia issued the statement of her own volition.
If there were any downstream effects the party would "cross that bridge as we come to it".
"But we're hoping that we just keep on focussing on winning this by-election."
Last Monday a Maori TV Native Affairs poll put support for Mr Tipene at 15 percent, with Mr Harawira at 41 percent and Labour's Kelvin Davis only one percentage point behind him.
Mr Tipene yesterday rejected any suggestion the by-election was a two-horse race, saying the Labour and Mana parties were still relying on a days-old poll.
The Maori Party's own polling since then showed the gaps had "closed considerably".
"It's all on, neck and neck, down to the wire," Mr Tipene told NZPA.
"I'm definitely in the running -- anything could happen on the day now."
Mr Harawira yesterday said the Maori Party was "never in this race" while Labour leader Phil Goff said he expected Labour to benefit from the stoush between Mr Harawira and his former party.
