Peters not contesting electorate

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has decided not to contest an electorate seat in next month's election, instead choosing to focus on the party vote.

The party today said it was not possible for Mr Peters to concentrate on an electorate while campaigning for the party vote nationwide, and that it was unfair on an electorate to have an absentee candidate.

Mr Peters was the MP for Tauranga from 1984 until 2005, when he lost his seat to National's Bob Clarkson.

New Zealand First today named a list of 33 candidates, with Mr Peters in the top spot.

He is followed by Tracey Martin, who is standing in Rodney, and then by former North Shore mayor Andrew Williams.