Mauri Pacific Leader Hon Tau Henare said his party would move to put in legislation future election dates.

"It's clear neither Labour or National are keen on moving on this issue so we'll look for a consensus among like-minded thinking parties that make up the next parliament to push this issue," he said.

"They're a hard case these two; they get all principled about the politics of the political system, but when something like this makes sense they sit on their political backsides content to do nothing."

Mr Henare said the governing party did hold a strategic advantage and Mauri Pacific wanted to ensure that everyone was on a level playing field.

"The Nats could've gone either way at the weekend, but one thing is for sure, they're ready, now, to go to an election.

"As has been pointed out there's plenty of examples overseas where jurisdictions have fixed terms; hell! In the United States they know 20 years in advance what the dates are going to be," said Mr Henare.

ENDS

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