A poll of the Coromandel electorate, a seat held at present by National MP Murray McLean, shows Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons ahead.

The poll was carried out by the Auckland-based market research firm Reid Research Services Ltd and commissioned by the Green Party.

Today Ms Fitzsimons said the poll showed it was a clear two-way race between herself and the National MP, with the Labour candidate 13 points behind her. In the last two elections Ms Fitzsimons was a close second.

"This poll in no way proves that the seat is `in the bag' for us, but it does indicate we can win the seat on our own merits," she said today. "Many people from all opposition parties have realised that it is not sensible to split the opposition vote.

"While three months is a long time in politics, I am confident that with the campaign team we have built, we can maintain our lead until the election," she said.

Ms Fitzsimons said the Green Party would concentrate on the Coromandel electorate vote this year, and the list vote in other electorates in an effort to get a number of MPs in the next Parliament. With the Green Party vote at 2.5 percent in last week's New Zealand Herald-DigiPoll this would mean three Green MPs.

"I am often told, including by those in other parties, that people want a Green presence in Parliament."

The recent poll by Reid Research Services was conducted in the electorate between August 5 and 8. It asked 400 voters which person they would chose for their electorate vote.

Ms Fitzsimons is ahead with 33 percent, Mr McLean at 31 percent, Margaret Hawkeswood (Labour) is at 20 percent, Robyn McDonald (New Zealand First) 10 percent and Tony Bird (Alliance) 6 percent. Those who refused to answer or said "don't know" are at 24 percent.

The poll has a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percent.

Poll report from Reid Research Services is available:

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