Nude New Zealand MP takes stroll

Mr Locke (centre) wore nothing but his birthday suit

Wearing nothing but copious amounts of body paint and a pair of pants, a New Zealand politician has taken a stroll through Auckland.

Green Party MP Keith Locke had pledged to strip off if Act Party leader Rodney Hide won the seat of his constituency.

Seen as a long-shot, Mr Hide surprised pundits by winning a big majority.

"I had to do it," Mr Locke said. "The Greens keep their promises". His elaborate suit included a white shirt, green tie and matching jacket.

Mr Locke said he opted for an artistic, rather than crude, nudity by leaving just his hands and face undecorated.

Onlookers were reported to look more relieved than outraged at the lawmaker's paint veil.

He was accompanied by Green party members as he made the brave 500m walk through the Auckland suburb of Newmarket.