The third-placed candidate in Auckland's Mt Roskill by-election yesterday said most Indians who voted swung their support behind Labour's Michael Wood to keep National's Parmjeet Parmar out.

People's Party founder Roshan Nauhria said he remains committed to contesting next year's general election despite being disappointed with his showing, getting 709 votes.

The businessman put tens of thousands of dollars into his own campaign that targeted the electorate's large Indian and Asian population.

He felt the community swung its support behind Mr Wood after being turned off by a negative campaign from Parmar.

He said people thought the only way to teach a lesson to Parmjeet Parmar was to give votes to Michael Wood and make sure he won.

However, it was a protest march outside Parmar's office yesterday that caused a complaint to the Electoral Commission, which has been referred to police.

A march along Stoddard Rd to Parmar's office was organised by the Migrant Workers Association, in protest at National's treatment of Indian students.