A former mayor of the North Shore in Auckland has been selected as a candidate for the New Zealand First Party.
Andrew Williams was defeated in last year's local body elections for the Auckland mayoralty after the creation of the super city.
During his time as North Shore mayor, Mr Williams became infamous for late-night texting after Prime Minister John Key talked publicly about how he had often been the recipient of what he said were aggressive messages.
Last year, a group of councillors called for Mr Williams to step aside, following newspaper allegations about the mayor's behaviour after drinking at a bar, including urinating in public.
Mr Williams will contest the North Shore seat against, among others, National Party candidate Maggie Barry.
