Andy Jarden puts hat in ring?

Andy Jarden

Former Wanganui Chronicle general manager Andy Jarden is understood to also be seeking the National Party nomination for the Whanganui seat in this year's general election.

That brings the total of candidates for the seat left vacant by retiring MP Chester Borrows to at least four.

Mr Jarden could not confirm he was seeking the National nod for the seat.

Three nominees have declared their intention to contest the vacancy - Hadleigh Reid, Harete Hipango and Derek McInnes - all from Whanganui. National Party rules allow candidates to go public before nominations close but not after.

A candidate selection meeting is scheduled for the Kingsgate Hotel in Whanganui on March 26.

Mr Borrows has held the seat for Whanganui since 2005.

Mr Jarden, who farms deer at Papaiti, stood unsuccessful for mayor of Whanganui in the October local body elections.