Greens strike back in Ohariu

Stuff reports:

The Green Party has dealt an unexpected blow to Labour’s chances of winning the hotly contested Wellington seat of Ohariu by deciding at the 11th hour to stand a candidate.

Tane Woodley was the surprise revelation at an Ohariu candidates meeting in the suburb of Khandallah on Wednesday night – revealing to the crowd that he was entering the race following the shock departure of 33-year incumbent Peter Dunne.

Woodley planned to campaign solely for the party vote. But the decision is likely to benefit National’s Ohariu candidate Brett Hudson, as it could split the vote on the left and dent the lead in the polls enjoyed by Labour’s Greg O’Connor.

Labour will not be happy The Greens have reneged on their previous decision. However they are fighting for their political survival, so this makes sense for them.