Rotorua Labour Party candidates have welcomed the nomination of new Mt Albert MP Jacinda Ardern for the party's deputy leader position.
Ms Ardern was nominated for the position by party leader Andrew Little after the decision by Annette King to step down and retire from Parliament.
Mrs King also put forward Ms Ardern's name to replace her as deputy leader with the party expected to vote on and name a new deputy early next week.
Rotorua Labour Party candidate Ben Sandford said both Mrs King and Ms Ardern were wonderful people who had done incredible work.
"They both believe in creating a better future for everyone in New Zealand and it's the work of people like Jacinda and Annette that helped inspire me to get involved and make a difference.