Labour leader Phil Goff thinks it's very likely that former MP Louisa Wall will fill Labour's vacant seat in Parliament.
Former cabinet minister Judith Tizard has announced she will not take over the list seat of Darren Hughes, despite being next on the party list.
Mr Hughes is to resign formally from Parliament on Tuesday while police investigate a complaint of sexual assault against him.
Ms Tizard has the right to take the seat, but she has declined.
Ms Tizard told the Q+A programme on TVNZ on Sunday that she changed her mind many times before deciding to step aside.
She said she objects to bullying on the issue.
But Ms Wall says it made sense and was in the best interest of the party that Ms Tizard stepped aside, given she is not standing in the next election which is just a short time away.
Four people are on the list after Ms Tizard. Mark Burton, the next candidate, has already confirmed he will step aside.
Mr Goff says he has spoken to all the possible candidates and the others have indicated they have moved on in their lives.
New party president Moira Coatsworth has indicated that Ms Wall is the party's preference. Her predecessor Andrew Little held the same view.
Ms Wall, 39, is Labour's candidate for Manurewa. She previously served in Parliament in 2008.
