National MP Tau Henare is pushing ahead with his bid to be the next Speaker, despite failing to get a public endorsement from Prime Minister John Key.
The controversial and often outspoken MP is hoping to succeed Lockwood Smith, who is expected to become High Commissioner to London later this year.
Mr Key has confirmed to media that Mr Henare has approached him about the role, and says he told him the Government's nomination would "have to be in a position to be acceptable to all political parties" - perhaps a hint that Mr Henare is not acceptable.
In 2007, Mr Henare came to blows with Labour MP Trevor Mallard during an argument outside the debating chamber in Parliament House.
He has also been critical in the past of the government's support partners, the Maori Party and ACT.
Asked whether he had Mr Key's confidence, Mr Henare said, "Apparently not. He doesn't seem to think that I'm up to it."
However, he believes he has "as good a chance as anybody else", with each MP casting a vote to choose the Speaker.
Asked what kind of Speaker he would be, Mr Henare replied "a nice Speaker" - despite having recently, and he claims "wrongly", being expelled from the house for bad behaviour.
"The point is, I've played the game in the house, and so I know how to be bad, I know how to be good as well," Mr Henare said.
He faces stiff competition, with National MPs Maurice Williamson and David Carter the likely favourites for the job.
NZN