Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule will contest the Southern Hawke's Bay electorate of Tukituki for National in September's general election

Lawrence Yule addresses Chinese President Xi Jinping and then Prime Minister John Key during a 2014 forum. File photo / Greg Bowker

Hastings District mayor Lawrence Yule will contest the Tukituki electorate for National at this year's general election, the party announced tonight.

Yule, who is also the president of Local Government New Zealand, said he would be a "tireless" voice for Tukituki if elected.

"I've loved every minute serving the people of the Bay as Mayor, and look forward to earning their trust to be their next National MP."

Sitting Tukituki MP Craig Foss is not seeking another term for the electorate, which covers most of southern Hawke's Bay.

Yule will face Labour's Tukituki candidate Anna Lork in September.