The Maori Party has selected education adviser Marama Fox as its election candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat, currently held by Labour's Meka Whaitiri.
Hawke's Bay is part of the sprawling Maori electorate, which stretches from East Cape to Wellington. The seat was held by Labour's Parekura Horomia until his death last year.
Ms Fox takes over from former Maori Party candidate Na Raihania, who decided not to stand in September's general election after contesting the past two campaigns for the seat.
Mr Raihania ran second to Mr Horomia in the 2011 general election and third behind Ms Whaitiri and the Mana Party's Te Hamua Nikora in last year's by-election after Mr Horomia's death.
Mr Nikora intends to stand for Mana again this year, and Dannevirke consultant Henare Kani is awaiting a meeting to confirm his candidacy for the Green Party.