The politician who quit the Labour Party at the height of the seabed and foreshore debate will face five challengers for her Maori seat on July 10.

Tariana Turia's rivals for Te Tai Hauauru were revealed when nominations closed on Tuesday. Dun Mihaka is the only other party representative - standing for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.

Labour Party member Peter Wakeman from Christchurch, Rusty Kane of New Plymouth, Tahu Nepia from Ratana and David John Bolton from Gordonton are running as independents.

Mihaka is well known for his activism, including a propensity for baring his buttocks, but he wasn't too confident of his chances against Turia.

"I think Tariana Turia should bolt in by a hundred miles," said Mihaka while also claiming his chances are as good as the next person.

Turia will represent the new Maori Party, although she can't officially use its logo because the Electoral Commission is yet to register the new party. If elected, technically she would be an independent MP.

"Twenty five percent of the people who've registered are in fact Pakeha so having the name Maori Party has made no difference," Turia said at the party's campaign launch in Wellington.

"They're more interested in what the principles are and what those principles may mean for them - and the principles are about inclusion."

Turia has received plenty of support from the electorate, but none from her former leader.

"I'm not really interested in discussing their prospects," the Prime Minister said.

But Helen Clark had a warning for the new party that while Labour's not contesting the by-election, it will fight tooth and nail to win the seat back at next year's general election.