Coffey wants Waiariki seat

Tamati Coffey has put his hand up to contest the Waiariki seat in next year's general election.

Mr Coffey told the Rotorua Daily Post tonight he had put in his nomination to the Labour Party to be its candidate for the Waiariki Maori seat.

He was the only person entered when nominations closed tonight, making him a certainty for selection.

"I look forward to running a positive, future focused campaign."

If confirmed as the party's candidate, he will take on incumbent Waiariki MP - Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

"I'm taking nothing for granted and plan to earn every vote once confirmed by the party.

"I want our people to be able to fulfil their aspirations, and I'm going to work hard to earn their support as the MP for Waiariki as part of a Labour government that invests in our people and creates opportunity."

Mr Coffey, who co-owns Rotorua's Ponsonby Rd Lounge Bar with his partner, was the Labour Party candidate for the general Rotorua seat in the 2014 election.

He came second to MP Todd McClay, receiving 11,297 votes to Mr McClay's 18,715.