Key abandons walkabout to avoid Peters

National leader John Key pulled out of a scheduled walkabout of a Tauranga shopping centre today, due to fears Winston Peters would gatecrash it.

Mr Key was to have accompanied National candidate Simon Bridges to the Greerton shops, but was warned New Zealand First leader Mr Peters was nearby.

Mr Key's staff told journalists they were not interested in giving a photo opportunity to Mr Peters, but in meeting real voters.

National have ruled out working in Government with Mr Peters after Saturday's election.

Mr Peters, who held the Tauranga seat until ousted by National in 2005, trails Mr Bridges in polls for the seat.

If NZ First fail to win Tauranga, they could be wiped out of Parliament, as they are not polling above the five percent of party vote that must be crossed to win seats in Parliament, without an taking an electorate.