I don't expect left party candidates to agree openly, but the reality is all centre left and left Tauranga candidates' primary goal is to wave the flag for the party vote - not for the local candidate vote.

At the Labour Party Congress, even Labour president Moira Coatsworth said to candidates the party needed to focus on the party vote nationwide.

In a strong National seat like Tauranga City, last election incumbent Simon Bridges got 21,971 votes to Labour's 4707.

Support for Labour's candidates for the constituency seat would be wasted - as none of the left parties can win the seat on their own.

Labour knows this and has shown their lack of intention by nominating its Tauranga City candidate Rachel Jones high on the Labour Party list.

The Greens - also vital in a left coalition deal - only campaign on getting party votes.
The problem is Green supporters generally don't vote for the Labour candidate, and vice a versa.

So the only realistic way for the left to unseat National in Tauranga is to consolidate the left candidate vote under one neutral candidate.

That's why I'm standing as an independent for the left in this year's general election.

Rusty Kane, Independent candidate for Tauranga.