Labour's candidates for Tauranga and Bay of Plenty are backing Jacinda Ardern as the new deputy of the opposition party.
Labour will be electing a new deputy leader after long-serving MP and former Minister of Health Annette King decided to step down and retire from Parliament, leader Andrew Little has announced.
"It's a decision I've made. I've achieved what I've wanted to achieve. I feel I've done my work," Mrs King told Newstalk ZB.
Mr Little said he would be nominating Jacinda Ardern, newly elected to the Mt Albert seat, as his new deputy when the caucus meets next Tuesday.
"Annette has been a wonderful deputy since I became leader. She's tirelessly supported me and I've really appreciated her wise advice, humour and huge experience.
"She's also been an excellent health spokesperson. While I wanted her to stay in that role, I accept her reasons for wanting to retire. She has been an outstanding servant of the Labour Party and worked hard for a better and fairer New Zealand.
"She has made a huge contribution in government, opposition and in Rongotai."
Tauranga Labour candidate Jan Tinetti said although Mrs King would be missed in the party she had made the right decision for her.
"She is an amazing politician, her legacy is ten-fold for what she has done for the party and New Zealand as a whole."
Ms Tinetti thought Jacinda Ardern was an amazing politician with amazing potential.
"When your leader has that much faith in you to nominate you like that, that says a lot."
Bay of Plenty Labour candidate Angela Warren-Clark said she was sorry to see Mrs King go.
She was "awesome" as the shadow health minister and commendable for the years of service she had given to the party.
Mrs Warren-Clark had met Mrs King and was impressed with her dedication to the health portfolio.
"We have a lot of good talents in the party. I think Jacinda would be a good option but if there are others who are wanting to put their hand up, then it will be a democratic process."