Who will vie for Foss' seat?

In consideration: Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule has not ruled out going for Tukituki MP Craig Foss's seat. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND.

Six weeks ago Tukituki MP Craig Foss was confirmed as the only National candidate to stand in the 2017 election but after his surprise announcement yesterday the doors are open again.

Mr Foss has stepped away from politics after he claimed he was drifting out of the job and found himself thinking about what he could be doing outside of parliament.

"The time was right to step away from politics and my decision has been well supported."

The Tukituki MP said nominations would re-open and the selection process get under way shortly, with nominations closing at the end of next month.

Mr Foss said he heard of people who were interested but would not specify who those people were.

"It is a bit of a secret squirrel process until someone actually declares they were going for it. It is one thing to say you're interested but it is another to actually step up and go through the process."

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule did not rule himself out of contention completely at this stage.

"I haven't properly considered it as it has come as a surprise to me. At this point I cannot say one way or the other and I won't make a sudden decision until I talk to my wife and family."

Mr Yule had thought Mr Foss would remain as the MP for the next term before stepping down and could have been interested in three years time.

"It was very unexpected and I haven't had a proper chance to think about it at this point but I am not ruling it out."

Meanwhile, former Hawke's Bay regional councillor Tim Gilbertson said he would not be going for the seat at this stage.

"I think Craig has done a good job but National needs to look carefully at the way they represent the rural New Zealand as at the moment they are an urban party with the majority of votes coming from Auckland."

Mr Gilbertson said if the new candidate did not look to the regions for support there could be a "rude shock" come election time.

"Someone needs to stand up and represent the province but I am not going to be the one to do it at this stage."

When former All Black Tane Randell was asked he laughed and said: "No, not even close, but thank you for even asking."

Mr Foss said it was important that the strong support for the National Party was translated into the new candidate but was confident this would happen.