The Labour candidate for Tamaki Makaurau says he'd never thought about standing in the Auckland electorate until he was asked.
The party's selection process has been messy and drawn-out, due to the broadcaster Shane Taurima being ruled out of the contest.
Labour has finally settled on the public servant, Peeni Henare, who said up to now he had only considered a political career further north.
He said some time ago he had thought about standing in Te Tai Tokerau, but for more than a decade he's lived and worked in Auckland.