The former chief executive of Air New Zealand has announced he plans to contest National's Botany seat.
Christopher Luxon confirmed on Thursday he intended to put forward his candidate nomination for the Botany electorate.
A spokesperson for the National Party said they had yet to receive Luxon's application but it will be welcomed.
"National is proud to run a robust local democratic selection process for our candidates," a spokesperson for the party told Newshub.
"We look forward to receiving Mr Luxon’s candidate application for the Botany Electorate in due course."
Currently the Botany seat is held by Jami-Lee Ross, who resigned from National last year after a falling-out with leader Simon Bridges.
In a statement, Ross said he had "always welcomed a good, old-fashioned, grassroots election campaign" and was happy to put his "local credentials up for local people to make a decision on".
"I’ve spent this year knocking on doors and asking constituents whether they want me to continue as their voice. The overwhelming response has been that they appreciate an experienced local person standing up for them."
Luxon will have to go through a formal selection process, where it is understood that around 60 National Party members will decide on the candidacy.
Luxon, who resigned from his position at Air New Zealand in June, grew up in the Botany electorate.
"Botany is an electorate I have a great affinity for and connection with having grown up in the area attending local primary, intermediate and high schools," Luxon said.
He said would not be making any further comment on the matter for the time being.
"Who is selected as the National Party candidate will be 100 percent determined by the local party delegates in Botany – not anyone else – and so it is important to me that the process is respected and runs as it should.
"Should I ultimately be selected by the members in Botany as their National Party candidate I will happily talk publicly then."
Newshub.
