Labour's 'behind the bike sheds' deal: PM

Prime Minister John Key has criticised Labour for doing a "behind the bike sheds" deal by encouraging its voters to back Winston Peters in Northland.

The New Zealand First leader is polling neck and neck with National candidate Mark Osborne in the Northland by-election, well ahead of Labour's Willow-Jean Prime on 20 per cent.

* Little hints at Northland by-election tactics * National's Northland candidate focuses on job

Labour leader Andrew Little responded to the Q+A Colmar Brunton poll result with a thinly veiled play to get Northland's Labour voters to back Mr Peters.

"Those who want to support Willow-Jean, they'll carry on supporting her," Mr Little said on Sunday.

"Those who can see the opportunity to make a difference, they'll cast their vote accordingly."

John Key has criticised Labour for doing a "behind the bike sheds" deal by encouraging its voters to back Winston Peters in Northland. Photo: Getty

"Of course Andrew Little is doing that," he told TVNZ's Breakfast on Monday.

"These guys always criticise us but when the going gets tough Andrew Little's message is not that subtle. It's vote for Winston Peters, don't vote for Labour.

"Labour's going to come a terrible, terrible third because they're not even trying."

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Labour's 'behind the bike sheds' deal: PM