A NZ First candidate has stepped down just a month after being announced as a candidate, after confirming he had earlier shopped himself around to other parties.
George Ngatai was announced as New Zealand First's Papakura candidate in July, but has said "after careful consideration" he had decided to step down.
He admitted that he had communicated with other parties, but no meetings took place.
"Earlier this year there was a period of considerable uncertainty about whether I would have the opportunity to stand as a candidate," his statement said.
"It was personally disappointing and, during that period, I considered what other options might exist."
Screenshots of undated messages posted by the account Shubz Live on Thursday morning purportedly show "Uncle George Ngatai" referring to the party as "Winston Peters first and then Shane first," and another discussing whether to run for ACT.
"ACT have 2 MPs not returning. They have 11 MPs and expect to get 10 in this year. We need to be in the top 10. If I get the nod then I will start and support. Then my role is to prep you to replace me after a term."
Another message said: "See if David will consider list for a strong Maori who is more pakeha than pakeha in thinking."
Other messages show Ngatai being introduced to ACT leader David Seymour and Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong.
Seymour told reporters on Wednesday he remembered getting a message, but did not think it went anywhere.
"If you want to stand for the ACT Party, it's almost like trying to get into the SAS these days, and I don't think he would have made it," he said.
"We test our candidates on what they believe, and it sounds like this guy just believed anything as long as it got him into Parliament."
Ngatai's statement said "a member of his team" Martel Wikeepa had made contact with people outside New Zealand First, and while some private communications occurred about "possible alternatives," it never developed into a meeting or commitment by Ngatai to another political party.
Wikeepa runs the Shubz Live account.
On Wednesday, Radio Aotearoa – a station owned by Ngatai and his wife Raewyn Bhana – announced an "indefinite stand-down" of Shubz's show.
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones referred questions on what he described as "the woes of George Ngatai" to the party.
"It's a tad above the Matua's paygrade. But it sounds as if he bought the same parachute as Mr Stu Nash."
RNZ has contacted New Zealand First for a response.
Ngatai said he would continue to support New Zealand First.
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