Labour selects Otaki candidate

Peter Foster will replace Darren Hughes (pictured). Photo / Mark Mitchell

Raumati lawyer Peter Foster will contest the Otaki seat for the Labour Party in November's election.

Mr Foster was selected by the Otaki electorate today. He replaces MP Darren Hughes, who quit Parliament in March when it emerged police were investigating an alleged sexual incident at Labour deputy leader Annette King's Wellington home, where Mr Hughes boarded.

The student left the home and is reported to have either flagged down a police car or walked into its path.

It was then he made the complaint. Police are still investigating.

Labour Party President Moira Coatsworth today described Mr Foster as a family man who had lived and worked in Otaki for 11 years.

"I have every confidence that Peter will hit the ground running and bring the Otaki seat back to Labour," Moira Coatsworth said.

Mr Hughes held the Otaki seat for two terms before losing to National's Nathan Guy in 2008 by 1354 votes.

- NZPA