Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene is backing Shane Jones in his bid for the Labour Party's top job.
Mr Jones and caucus colleagues Grant Robertson and David Cunliffe have put their hands up for the job, which opened up with David Shearer's announcement last week that he was stepping down.
Labour's Maori caucus will meet on Tuesday to discuss support for the party's leadership contenders.
Mr Tirikatene says Mr Jones has a lot going for him, and he'll back him; he's a Maori with mixed heritage and is an immensely talented man and leader.
He says Mr Jones also has a huge intellect and many skills, making him the full package.
