The Labour Party has formally selected sitting MP Peeni Henare as its candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection.

“I am humbled and honoured to be selected to represent Labour in the upcoming byelection,” he said.

Henare had been widely expected to win his party’s nomination.

The Tāmaki Makaurau byelection, triggered by the death of Takutai Moana Tarsh Kemp, has not been formally called yet, but the two candidates who stand the greatest shot of winning it have been selected by their parties.

Henare held the seat since 2014 but was unseated by Kemp in 2023 by just 42 votes. He will square off against former journalist and broadcaster Oriini Kaipara, who won selection for TePāti Māori. The Greens announced last week they would not be standing a candidate.

The National Party, which ran a candidate in the seat in 2023 for the first time since 2002, has also said it will not run a candidate in the byelection. Act does not run candidates in Māori electorates. Vision New Zealand leader Hannah Tamaki has announced she plans to run, however.

The vacancy triggered by Kemp’s death was gazetted on July 9 by Speaker Gerry Brownlee, the last step in the chain of events that must be followed before an election date is set and the campaign formally begins. The date is the choice of the Prime Minister and could be announced as soon as Monday.

Henare’s Labour Party leaderChris Hipkins said: “Henare is exactly the leader Tāmaki Makaurau needs, with a deep understanding of the issues that matter.”

“He has the experience and track record to deliver real solutions for working families, rangatahi, kaumātua and our most vulnerable whānau,” Hipkins said.

Henare said communities had been saying “loud and clear” they want “jobs, access to quality and affordable health services, affordable housing, and relief from the rising cost of living must be a top priority”.

“Tāmaki Makaurau is where I was born and is my home. I know the challenges that many whānau are facing. The cost of living is putting significant pressure on whānau just to put kai on the table,” he said.