Ngapuhi leader Sonny Tau is throwing his support behind Labour MP Shane Jones to become the party's new leader.
Mr Jones and caucus colleagues Grant Robertson and David Cunliffe have put their hands up for the job.
Mr Tau says he believes Mr Jones, who is also Ngapuhi, has what it takes to lead Labour and is the sharpest knife in the party's drawer.
The current Government lacks representatives from everyday communities, and that is what Mr Jones offers, he says.
Mr Jones represent a wide range of voters from all walks of life, including Maori, academia, rural and business communities.
Mr Tau predicts more Maori will sign up to vote in the election next year if Mr Jones wins the leadership race.
Mr Jones was demoted in 2010 for using a ministerial credit card to pay for porn movies but he says that's in the past.
