National Party members seeking to be the candidate for the upcoming Tauranga By-election to replace Hon Simon Bridges will have just over two weeks to get their nominations in, National Party President Peter Goodfellow says.

Following a meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, the Board has approved nominations for the electorate will open next week on Tuesday, March 29, and will close at midday on Wednesday, April 13.

'Tauranga is an amazing electorate full of aspirational and hardworking Kiwis, stretching from Mount Maunganui in the north, through central Tauranga, to Tauriko and Pyes Pa in the south,” says Goodfellow.

'Our local members are looking for a candidate who is passionate about fighting for the issues that matter to communities across Tauranga. Like addressing the crushing cost-of-living crisis, restoring local democracy, and delivering better transport solutions to get the city moving.

'Tauranga needs a strong local champion, and we look forward to our members delivering that candidate.

'Once candidate nominations close, nominees will go through several ‘meet the candidates' meetings across the Electorate during late April before a final selection meeting is held on Sunday, May 1.

'National is proud of our democratic selection process, so ultimately it will be up to local Tauranga Party members to decide who will be our National candidate in the By-election.”

The nomination of a new candidate follows the party process:

• Nominees – Any member who meets the criteria specified in the Rules and Constitution may submit an application for candidacy consideration once nominations open.
  
• Pre-selection Committee - When nominations close, a pre-selection committee of nine people (made-up of the local Electorate Chair, four electorate members elected at the AGM, two members appointed by the Regional Chair, and a further two members appointed by the Party President) conduct in-depth interviews, reference checks, and vet potential nominees for selection, and reduce the applicants down to a maximum of five potential nominees to progress to the next stage of the process.
  
• Selection Committee - A Selection Committee of a minimum of 60 delegates is made up of 100 per cent local members, with equitable representation across electorate branches. These ‘voting delegates' are elected from qualifying members at branch meetings. It is these ‘voting delegates' who will vote and make the final decision on which nominee will become the National candidate for Parliament.
  
• Meeting the Nominees - Once advised, successful nominees take part in three ‘meet-the-nominee' meetings across the electorate to speak to voting delegates, answer questions, and engage with local membership. During this time, nominees are also able to contact and meet voting delegates in person, as and when they choose.
  
• During the period of time from the closing of nominations until the final selection is complete, nominees are unable to make any form of public comment without approval from the Electorate Executive.
  
• Final Selection – Once the meet-the-nominee meetings have concluded, a final selection is held to make a last pitch to voting delegates, with a vote taken to decide who the National candidate for Parliament will be.