The National Party has selected banker Sam Uffindell as their candidate to fill the seat of the retiring Simon Bridges.
Uffindell was selected by local National Party members from four candidates for the upcoming Tauranga by-election.
Uffindell, 38, is currently the head of financial economic crime for Rabobank and owns a small agribusiness based in the Bay of Plenty.
"It's an absolute honour to be selected as National's candidate for Tauranga," he said in a statement.
Bridges, the former National Party leader and MP for Tauranga since 2008, announced his surprise retirement in March.
The by-election to replace Bridges will be held on 18 June.
National is widely expected to retain the seat.
Labour's Jan Tinetti, who ran against Bridges in 2020 and received 39.2 percent of the vote, is also running again. ACT's Cameron Luxton and several minor parties are also expected to contest the seat.
Uffindell, a graduate of the University of Otago, spent 10 years working in senior banking roles in Sydney.
Before settling in the Bay of Plenty with his family last year, he was vice president of Deutsche Bank in Singapore.
"I'm incredibly proud to have the opportunity to be a strong local voice for Tauranga and take up the fight for the issues that matter most to our city," he said.
Uffindell said he wanted to focus on helping fix cost-of-living issues and infrastructure projects like the Tauranga Northern Link.
"I'm aspirational for Tauranga and want it to remain one of the best places in New Zealand to live, work and raise a family. I'm asking for your support because you deserve a strong local voice to make this happen.
"As a small business owner, senior executive, and dad to three young kids, I understand the issues Tauranga faces and will work tirelessly for you and for the investment our city deserves.
"With a strong MP like me on your side, as part of a Christopher Luxon-led National team, we can and will deliver for Tauranga well into the future."
RNZ
