Labour list MP and former West Coast/Tasman MP Damien O’Connor has confirmed he is standing for the Labour candidacy to run against sitting National MP Miles Anderson, who last week confirmed he would stand again.
Mr O’Connor, who moved to Dunedin last year, said the issue of whether he stood as a list MP or for an electorate was being discussed with the party, "and, ultimately, there is a party process that will determine that".
The former farmer entered politics in 1993 and has served as minister of agriculture, tourism, food safety, rural communities, trade and export growth, and biosecurity.
He lost his seat to National MP Maureen Pugh in the 2023 election.
Mr O’Connor alluded to the possibility of his retirement from politics, with the job having taken time away from family and recreation.
"[Retirement] is an interesting dilemma that everyone in politics faces every election.
"If I am to continue in politics then I would like to stand in a seat and try and win and generate as many votes for Labour as I can.
"As a former farmer I have found the stimulation and challenge of politics to be better than most things.
"It is not an easy life and it certainly comes with its costs on family and recreational time but there is a lot of work to do for Labour to change the government."
Mr Anderson, a first-term MP, said he was very surprised to hear his possible opposition was running from Dunedin.
"The electorate has a clear choice, someone who has lived and worked in the Waitaki and is now privileged to represent our region, or a carpetbagger."
Mr O’Connor said Dunedin was a change in scenery, but it was "well served" by the current Labour contingent.
"Dunedin is served by two brilliant Labour MPs and I think they will [bolt] in and continue to represent their people well.
"There are limited options for me based out of Dunedin and I guess Waitaki is a seat that has traditionally not been red, but it might be an interesting challenge given the disgruntlement of people across the whole economy."
If successful in winning the Labour candidacy, he was looking forward to some healthy competition.
"I respect Miles and the local representation but ultimately the government he is part of and what he has been affirming through that membership is not working for New Zealand.
"We are visionless, there is no plan and we are going backwards in so many ways."
