A Rotorua lawyer and former Olympian has been nominated to be the Labour Party's candidate for Rotorua to take on Todd McClay in next year's general election.
Ben Sandford, 37, who has represented New Zealand at three Winter Olympics in the skeleton competition, was the only nominee for the candidacywhen nominations closed on Tuesday.
Labour Party general secretary Andrew Kirton confirmed Mr Sandford was the only nomination received, but his candidacy was not a done deal.
"We still have to go through the process of Ben meeting with Rotorua Labour Party members to confirm the candidacy and that will happen prior to Christmas.
"This is standard practice for selections and is the same process we used for Tamati Coffey in the Waiariki electorate.
"It would be great to go into Christmas with Rotorua and Waiariki candidates confirmed and a solid team in place for Labour in the region," Mr Kirton said.
Mr Sandford is Rotorua born and bred and was educated at Rotorua Boys' High School and Victoria University in Wellington, where he graduated with bachelor's degrees in law and geography.
He has also served as an athlete representative for the New Zealand Olympic Committee since 2008 and is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Ben Sandford in action at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Mr Sandford told the Rotorua Daily Post he put his name forward because he felt the National Government was not doing its best for Rotorua, or New Zealand.
"I've always believed that if you want things to change you have to get involved and make those changes happen," he said.
"In everything that I've done Rotorua and the people of Rotorua have always supported me and had my back, now I want to do what I can to support Rotorua and everyone that lives here.
"However, many of the issues that existed when I was growing up still exist now, and the fact that these are a result of political decisions, is to me not good enough.
"The current government has chosen not to invest enough in housing, our health and education systems are stretched and under funded, and inequality is increasing and becoming inter-generational.
"In a town like Rotorua this has severe social and economic consequences.
"We do not have to accept this, we can create a better society, and although many in Rotorua are doing incredible work to improve our wonderful city, they are not supported by the National Government."
Mr Sandford said it would be a challenge and take a lot of work to unseat Mr McClay.
"But, I believe it's time for a change.
"We need new ideas, we need community engagement, we need responsiveness and we need solutions. We need someone that is passionate about Rotorua."
He said if he was confirmed as the Rotorua electorate candidate he would start a series of public meetings where he would invite people to talk to him about their concerns.
Ben Sandford of New Zealand waves to the crowd after his run during the Men's Skeleton on Day 8 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. PHOTO/GETTY
Mr McClay said it had always been a privilege to represent Rotorua people in Parliament as their elected MP.
"The local economy is the strongest it's been since I became Rotorua's MP," he said.
"There have been a range of candidates stand against me in previous elections, including mayor [Steve] Chadwick and TV personality Tamati Coffey, and l look forward to making my case to the people of Rotorua for re-election next year," he said.
Rotorua Labour Party chairman Hadyn Marriner said a meeting with local party members would take place on or about December 15.
"A venue will be confirmed soon and party members informed as soon as possible."
