Having failed to secure a nomination for the Botany electorate, former broadcaster Maggie Barry was today confirmed as a contender to be National's North Shore candidate.

National today began its process of finding a replacement candidate for retiring MP Wayne Mapp's safe seat, naming five contenders.

Enya Chadderton, Paul Goldsmith, Ewen McQueen and Michael Single are the other four.

Ms Barry, a Mt Albert resident, lost her first bid to become an MP in January, when she was beaten by Auckland councillor Jami-Lee Ross in the race to be National's Botany candidate.

She confirmed last month that she would stand for the North Shore position, saying she considered it "the perfect seat".

Electorate chairwoman Lorraine Campbell said all five candidates would have the opportunity to campaign among the 60 local party delegates, who would vote on May 11.

= NZPA

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