Labour has selected MP Tāmati Coffey as its candidate to replace Kiri Allan in the East Coast seat after she announced she won't stand at the October 14 election.
Allan, New Zealand's former Justice Minister, said she needs "time to heal myself and chart a new course for my life" after she was involved in a car crash in Wellington.
She's been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer, and will appear in court eventually. An infringement notice was also issued for excess breath alcohol between 250 and 400mcg.
Now Coffey has been selected to run for the East Coast electorate, a dramatic reversal from his earlier announcement in March that he will retire from Parliament at the election so he can focus on his children.
"Earlier this year I chose to step back from politics following the birth of my second child," he said in a statement on Sunday night.
"However, the tragic events of last week which led to my colleague and friend Kiritapu Allan choosing to step down at the upcoming election have changed things significantly.
"The people of the East Coast need a strong, experienced MP who can hit the ground running and provide strong representation in Parliament. The East Coast has been through so much this year and it needs an experienced champion in Parliament."
The East Coast remains in recovery mode after Cyclone Gabrielle's devastation, with farms still cut off, infrastructure damaged and locals begging the Government for assistance.
Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson told Newshub he met with Wairoa's mayor, councillors and regional council earlier this month and their main points about restoring roads and housing and working on flood protection schemes came through "loud and clear".
Coffey said if elected he'll work "every minute" he can to support the region and its people.
"As an MP, I've helped hundreds of constituents with difficult issues - I know how to stand up for people, how to get things done and how to champion people in need," he said.
"I will work hard every day of this campaign to win the trust and support of the people of the East Coast, and if elected I'll work every minute I can to support the region and its people as it recovers.
"I want to put the mighty back into the East Coast!"
