Former Northland-based MP Shane Jones has gone to ground as speculation continues he will contest the Whangarei seat for New Zealand First.
Mr Jones was a Labour list MP and served as a Cabinet minister in Helen Clark's government, but stepped down three years ago to take up a newly created position as Pacific Economic Ambassador.
He steadfastly refused to comment on his political future while he was ambassador, saying it would have to wait until his three-year contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ended.
NZ First leader and Northland MP Winston Peters has also refused to comment on the possibility of Mr Jones standing for NZ First, saying that was up to the party machinery to decide.
Wednesday was Mr Jones' last day on the ministry payroll but he was lying low yesterday and not returning calls.