Maori Party

The Maori Party have been described as the "King makers" of this election. Winstone Peters has assumed this mantle in the past.

If the polls stack up it would see the National Party having the largest share of the votes. However, with John Key ruling out Winstone as a coalition partner, Labour, the Greens and NZ First could get the numbers equivalent to National and Act.

Also, another dimension of the equation is National's reluctance to take Act onboard given its extreme right-wing views. All of these factors combined may place the Maori Party in the decisive role of holding the balance of power in their hands.

Currently, the Maori Party hold four seats and it seems likely that they will gain two more and possibly get a clean sweep of all seven.

Co-Leader Pita Sharples has said that it does not want ministerial roles through a formal coalition, because it would end up being "drowned" by either National or Labour. The most likely scenario for the Maori Party would be a confidence and supply role such as the one at present between the Government, United Future and NZ First.

The Maori Party was formed in 2004 when Tariana Turia split from Labour over the foreshore and seabed row.