Nats open by-election nominations

Hekia Parata. Photo / Supplied

Nominations open tomorrow for the National Party's candidate in the Mana by-election.

President Peter Goodfellow said National was the underdog but would run a strong campaign and would choose a talented candidate.

"We will be looking to win the Mana by-election but we acknowledge that we have a very difficult job ahead of us given National has never held the seat."

National's nominations close September 6.

List MP Hekia Parata was likely to be a top choice and has confirmed to NZPA she would seek selection.

The by-election was forced when Mana and Labour MP Winnie Laban announced she was quitting politics to take an academic job.

Ms Laban has held the seat since 2002.

She won the Mana seat with 18,070 votes in the 2008 election. Mrs Parata was the runner-up with 11,915 votes.

Labour's chief press secretary and former TV One news reporter Kris Faafoi has also confirmed he will seek selection to stand for Labour at the by-election.

Former Progressive Party Otaki candidate Josie Pagani has also been mentioned as a possible Labour candidate.

She is a former communications manager at NZAID and parliamentary press secretary.

Labour's nominations close on September 9 with selection on the 18th.

The date of the by-election will depend on when Ms Laban leaves. She has accepted a job at Victoria University.

- NZPA