Wellington, June 27 NZPA - The Progressive Party has re-registered as a political party but its members will continue working closely with Labour as leader Jim Anderton's tenure starts winding down.

Mr Anderton is contesting the Christchurch mayoralty and, win or lose, his Parliamentary career will end at the next election.

Giving up his Wigram seat is likely to end the Progressive Party's representation in Parliament but Mr Anderton said the party had "a number of highly talented candidates who I expect to see standing for Labour at the next election..."

He said re-registering the party, which involves proving it has more than 500 paying members, was not a token gesture, and that it was important the party's position was still represented.

He has been polling ahead of incumbent Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and said while he was pleased with the support, he was not taking it for granted.

"I'm old and wise enough to know that in politics, the only poll that counts is when the votes are counted on election day."