A television entertainer and a regional manager for Kohanga Reo will compete to represent the Mana Party in the race for the Ikaroa/Rawhiti seat.
The party has given itself until 23 May to decide who will stand in the by-election in June.
It will choose between Leon Hawea, district manager for Kohanga Reo and broadcaster Te Hamua Nikora.
The eastern Maori seat became vacant after the recent death of Labour MP Parekura Horomia, Mr Nikora's uncle.
Te Hamua Nikora - who appears on Maori Television programmes such as Homai Te Pakipaki and Pukana - says he has been asked to stand for years but it was his uncle's job.
Mr Nikora says he has always wanted to stand, and while he grieves for Mr Horomia, it was not a tough to decision to go for it.
