Turia admits undermining own candidate was a stuff-up

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia now says she erred 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, saying honesty and integrity were not issues the media was comfortable portraying.

But in an unexpected twist today she 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 was in full support of Mr Tipene and she was absolutely committed to the survival and success of the Maori Party.

The party had invested heavily in Mr Tipene's campaign and Ms Turia's comments were not intended to reflect support for either Labour's or Mana's campaigns.

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 Tipene said he would carry on the momentum of the Maori Party's achievements to date in areas including health, education and housing.

Nobody would work with Mr Harawira in Parliament, while Mr Davis would languish in opposition for another two terms, he said.

Mr Harawira yesterday said the Maori Party was "never in this race".

"I'm not overly worried about the Maori Party vote, it is very much a two-horse race and the message I'm sending out to people is really simple, in terms of the two horses," he told NZPA.

Labour leader Phil Goff yesterday said he expected Labour to benefit from the stoush between Mr Harawira and his former party.