The worst kept secret in politics has been confirmed, with former Labour MP Shane Jones announced as the New Zealand First candidate for Whangarei in September's election.
Mr Jones, who left Parliament in 2013 to become Pacific Economic Ambassador with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was confirmed as the party's candidate for the district by NZ First Leader and Northland MP Winston Peters in Whangarei this afternoon.
Mr Peters made the announcement at Pure Bar, in Cameron St, at 1pm. Mr Jones replaces long-term NZ First member Pita Paraone as the party's Whangarei candidate. Mr Paraone has stood in the electorate previously, and been a list MP for three terms.
Mr Jones' term with Mfat ended in May this year. There has long been speculation he was interested in standing for Parliament again, but for NZ First, though Jones would not confirm it while he was working for Mfat.
Since then he has often been seen with Mr Peters - including on Anzac Day, at the Lions powhiri at Waitangi and the game in Whangarei.