Nine nominations for Carter's seat

Two of the Labour Party's nominees to represent the party in the Te Atatu seat are current list MPs Phil Twyford, left, and Dr Rajen Prasad. Photos / Dean Purcell and Natalie Slade

Labour has confirmed nine nominations, including two list MPs, have been received from candidates wanting to represent the party in the Te Atatu seat from the next election.

Labour opened the Auckland seat for nominations after its holder Chris Carter burned his bridges with the party in a bungled attempt to undermine leader Phil Goff by sending an anonymous letter to media in July, saying a coup was imminent.

Mr Carter, who was expelled from the caucus, yesterday withdrew his own nomination and said he couldn't in good conscience campaign on behalf of a leader he had criticised.

"It would not be fair to him or ethical of me," he said.

MP Phil Twyford was confirmed as one of the nominees and will be favoured to win it, but he is up against fellow MP Dr Rajen Prasad.

Other nominees include small business owner Nick Bakulich, law student Jim Bradshaw, barrister Dr Michael Kidd, university lecturer Hamish McCracken, community advocate Ann Pala, lawyer Greg Presland, and communications consultant Kate Sutton.

Labour Party president Andrew Little said there had been a high level of interest in Te Atatu and the party had been confident of getting a strong response in terms of nominations by the 5pm deadline today.

"These are all talented people, and each of them has a depth of experience and skills that would make any of them a good representative for Te Atatu," he said. "It won't be an easy decision for the selection panel."

MP Darien Fenton initially showed interest in contesting the seat, but said today she would not seek the nomination.

"I have given serious consideration to putting my nomination forward, and it would be a great privilege to be Labour's candidate for Te Atatu in the next election," she said.

But Ms Fenton said she wanted to continue a nationwide push to oppose new employment laws introduced by the Government.

- NZPA