Former broadcaster Maggie Barry will need approval from the National Party to seek selection as the party's candidate for the Botany byelection because she has not been a party member for a year.
Ms Barry joined last month after leaving her job at RadioLive.
Prime Minister John Key said it would be up to the party board to decide whether to give her a waiver.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Letters: Tax cuts and tolls, Peters’ Gallipoli speech, fast-track folly
OPINION: 'Tax cuts lure the common man into voting;