King retires from Rongotai

The Herald reports:

Longstanding Labour MP Annette King will stand as a list-only candidate in 2017 – a step that opens up her Rongotai seat for Labour leader Andrew Little should he decide to stand there.

King told the Herald that after 24 years she had decided “with some sadness” not to stand in the electorate again in 2017.

Regardless of party politics, Annette has been a very effective and dedicated MP for the Rongotai electorate and will be missed as their local MP.

She hoped to be health minister in the next Labour government and would stand on the list, but it was possible she would leave if Labour was still in Opposition.

Little, a list MP, has lived in the Rongotai electorate for years and said he would consider standing in the seat.

“Up until now it was an attractive option as leader of the party to remain list because you get drawn all over the country. Being tied to an electorate, particularly if I’m campaigning to win it for the first time, creates an extra workload.

“But given I live in the electorate, I know many of the people, it is at least something I should give consideration to.”

I think the major consideration is that on some polls (such as last Roy Morgan) Labour was on the verge of getting no List MPs, which would mean Little would not get back to Parliament unless he wins an electorate seat.

So I think it is highly highly likely he will seek the Rongotai nomination.