Labour announces potential Northcote byelection candidates

The Northcote byelection to replace Jonathan Coleman will be held on June 9. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour has announced the trio who have put their hands up to be the party's candidate for the Northcote byelection following the departure of MP Jonathan Coleman.

They are Shanan Halbert, Richard Hills and Paul McGreal.

Halbert, head of relationships at Te Wanaga o Aotearoa, ran against Coleman in 2017. He lost by about 6200 votes, narrowing the 9700 majority Coleman won in 2014.

Hills is an Auckland councillor while McGreal is a virtual unknown.

Coleman, a former health minister in the previous government, announced last month he was resigning from Parliament, leaving his safe National electorate of Northcote.

He will run the private sector health company Acurity.

National has announced its shortlist - economist Dan Bidois, Kaipatiki Local Board chairwoman Danielle Grant, Darren Ward, local board member Lisa Whyte and Simon Watts.

Both parties will announce their final candidates on Sunday.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that the byelection would be held on June 9.

Coleman will give his valedictory speech on Wednesday.