The National Party has named former broadcaster Maggie Barry as its candidate for the safe National seat of Auckland's North Shore for this year's general election.
Ms Barry, in a statement, said she was "looking forward to the opportunity of fighting for the privilege to represent the people of North Shore".
"Despite the North Shore historically being a strong National seat, I plan to campaign hard to earn the trust and respect of this community."
She said she would move into the electorate if elected.
Ms Barry's entry into politics follows a 30-year career in broadcasting, best known for her television roles on One News and Maggie's Garden Show.
She was keen to be the National candidate for Botany in this year's by-election, but the party chose the eventually successful candidate Jami-Lee Ross.
North Shore has been held by the National Party since 1949.
Current MP Wayne Mapp, who first won the seat in 1996, is stepping down. At the last election he gathered nearly 62 percent of the candidate vote and the National Party took 58 percent of the party vote.
