Union leader Matt McCarten could be the deciding factor in Saturday’s Mana by-election.
In what has long been considered a safe Labour seat, Mr McCarten adds huge intrigue to a race that was initially seen as a battle between Labour’s Kris Faafoi and popular National list MP Hekia Parata.
Since then Jan Logie of the Greens has also joined in with a strong campaign.
Mr Faafoi, a former TVNZ reporter, is still favoured to win the seat vacated by the retiring Winnie Laban, but Mr McCarten’s candidacy may yet be the boost needed by Ms Parata.
Even Labour Party leader Phil Goff is warning the seat could be lost if the voter turnout is low.
Mr McCarten leads Unite and has been steadily gaining traction since announcing his candidacy.
Mr McCarten was originally a Labour party member before becoming president of Alliance. He also did campaign work for the Maori party.
