Former National MP Mike Sabin has picked up a job as the head of a luxury resort in Northland.

He's been appointed chief executive of Peppers Carrington Estate, a five-star, one thousand hectare resort on the Karikari Peninsula.

The former MP for Northland will be in charge of plans to redevelop the property into the largest five-star resort in the country.

Chinese real estate giant Shanghai CRED purchased the business from US businessman Paul Kelly for 28.7 million dollars in 2013, and planned to market it to wealthy Chinese tourists.

Mr Sabin resigned as Northland's MP in early February due to undisclosed personal issues.

That forced a by-election, which National lost to New Zealand First's Winston Peters.