In an unusual turn of events, Prime Minister John Key appears to be putting his money on Labour to take out the Te Tai Tokerau election.
A poll this week showed Labour candiate Kelvin Davis neck-and-neck with the electorate's former MP, Hone Harawira, before the June 25 vote, with Mr Harawira rating 41 percent support to Mr Davis' 40 percent.
Maori Party candidate Solomon Tipene was trailing with 15 percent.
Asked on Radio Live yesterday whether he would vote for Mr Harawira or Mr Davis, Mr Key said: "I think there's a pretty good chance Kelvin is going to win it".
The comment has been seen by some as an endorsement of Mr Davis -- a surprising move given National's connections with the Maori Party.
Supporters of Mr Harawira were due to begin a "hikoi for Hone" in south Auckland this morning.
The hikoi, run by the northern arm of the Ratana movement, will work its way north visiting various centres, including Whangarei and Kaitaia, before returning to Auckland tomorrow.
Ratana Minister Kereama Pene, who has previously called for followers to abandon traditional support of the Labour party, said the northern arm of the movement wanted to express support for Mr Harawira and his new Mana Party.
"Hone is the only candidate in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election who is aware of what the issues are for our people, who knows what needs to be done about them, and who is committed to ensuring that something is done about it."
