Labour leader Phil Goff says Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta will be competitive against any candidate the Maori Party puts up.
The Maori Party is holding hui this month to select between the former Waikato-Tainui chief executive Hemi Rau, retired soldier Tauhuia Bruce Mataki, and Housing New Zealand regional manager Pia Searanke, Waatea News reports.
Mr Goff says he was struck by the level of support Ms Mahuta attracted when he was in the electorate with her last week.
