Conservative challenge

THE New Conservative Party will appear in the High Court in Auckland today to challenge TVNZ’s decision to exclude it from its multiparty debate.

Party leader Leighton Baker said on Monday his exclusion was unfair and incompatible with maintaining a healthy democracy.

To be included in the debate, parties not in Parliament must score at least 3%ina 1 NewsColmar Brunton poll in the last six months.

But in the latest poll, the New Conservatives were at 1%.

Parties not in Parliament can also participate if they have been represented, or their leader has been an MP, in one or both of the past two Parliaments. — RNZ