Mana Party president Annette Sykes will stand as the party's electorate candidate in Waiariki.
Annette Sykes Photo: MANA PARTY
She came second in the seat to the Maori Party's Te Ururoa Flavell by 1800 votes in 2011.
Ms Sykes said unemployment was getting worse and the number of young people leaving the region to Australia is rising.
"If they want change they vote for me because a vote for Te Ururoa is really another vote for the National Party and more of the same, which hasn't been good for Waiaraki in the past nine years."
Mana Party leader Hone Harawira, making the announcement in Rotorua, said the choice was clear for Waiariki voters who want to change the Government.
A Te Arawa Kaumatua, Te Ariki Morehu, supports the move and hopes Anette Sykes will make political history by becoming the first woman in 143 years to represent the Waiariki electorate.
