Shane Reti named National Party candidate for Whangarei

GP Shane Reti is one of the three contenders.

The National Party has announced Dr Shane Reti will be its candidate for the Whangarei electorate at the 2014 general election.

Dr Reti was selected by a meeting of local party members in Whangarei tonight. (Friday)

"National is taking nothing for granted in Whangarei. Dr Reti has strong links to this electorate and I'm extremely glad the party has selected a candidate of his calibre to contest the seat," Northern Regional Chair Alan Towers said.

Dr Reti's candidacy follows an esteemed career in the health sector which has taken him around the world from New Zealand to the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East.

Dr Reti said he was proud to have been selected to contest the seat and was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"I'm deeply honoured to be selected as National's candidate for Whangarei and look forward to taking National's positive message to the electorate," Dr Reti said.

"It would be a great privilege to commit both my overseas economic development experience, and many years serving the local health sector, to advocate strongly for Whangarei in Parliament.

"Phil Heatley has served this community well for the last 15 years. I will be working hard to ensure Whangarei retains a strong voice in John Key's National Party."