Labour to select Botany candidate on same day as National

The Labour Party will choose its candidate for the Botany by-election on January 27, the same day National is due to decide who it will put up for the seat.

Labour's president, Andrew Little, said today Botany was a safe National seat and his party didn't expect to win the March 5 by-election caused by Pansy Wong's resignation from Parliament.

"However, Labour will be using the by-election as an opportunity to promote policies, issues and values that we think are important for Botany and all of New Zealand," he said.

Labour's three nominees are management consultant Roy Bootle, electrician David Collings and former union organiser Michael Wood.

Mr Wood, an Auckland local board member, was Labour's candidate for Pakuranga in the 2002 and 2005 general elections.

National has five nominees to choose from, including former broadcaster Maggie Barry.

- NZPA