A controversial former National MP’s coming back from the political wilderness, with a role on a government taskforce.

Tau Henare has been named among a group tasked with seeking the public’s input on how to cut red tape around construction and development.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says Mr Henare was her personal pick.

"I wanted someone that actually knew government that was not scared to put an opinion forward and knew how to use social media a lot that also had a Maori presence.

"To be fair, Tau ticked a lot of boxes and was available."