Tauranga school nurse Clare Wilson plans to offer a passionate new voice in Parliament after being named the Labour Party's new Bay of Plenty candidate.
Mrs Wilson said she had always been a union member and Labour supporter and was encouraged to "take it to the next level" after unsuccessful campaigns in last year's local body elections.
Mrs Wilson was announced as the Bay of Plenty candidate on Sunday.
She campaigned for positions on the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Tauranga City Council last year but missed out.
The announcement came after sitting Bay of Plenty National MP Tony Ryall revealed he would step down at this year's election.
Mrs Wilson said there had been some good "blue" MPs but what had been missing was a local voice for social justice and struggling families.
"A voice for our young people who have lives very different from some of our big business executives.
"Certainly their lives are worlds apart from those I see sleeping in their cars when I drop my child at Memorial Pool three mornings a week at 5.45am."
Mrs Wilson said she planned to better represent those groups of people who had been overlooked or neglected in recent years.
"I'm passionate about family health, education and how vital they are. Without well people and educated people, we can't break through on issues like poverty."
Mrs Wilson is a registered nurse with 28 years' experience in hospital and health services. She works as a school nurse under Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand at Mount Maunganui College.
She said juggling the new role would not be a problem.
"If you want something done, you ask a busy person to do it. I will get things done." Mrs Wilson said she also cared about environmental issues.
Dr Rachel Jones was announced as Labour's Tauranga candidate last month.
Labour Party general secretary Tim Barnett said Mrs Wilson would be a formidable candidate.
No one from Mr Ryall's electorate office could be reached for comment yesterday.
The election will be held on September 20.