The sound of applause erupted from the Greerton Senior Citizens Hall this afternoon as Dr Rachel Jones was announced as the Tauranga Labour Party Candidate.

Labour supporters filed out of the hall with smiles on their faces pleased with Rachel's appointment.

Dr Rachel Jones, the new face of the Labour Party in Tauranga. Photo: Letitia Atkinson.

'I am excited and very much energised and ready,” Rachel explained as she spoke to SunLive after the announcement.”

She says her selection has been a month long process where four candidates expressed interest in the position.

'We had a question and answer night on Tuesday before the announcement today. One of my winning lines was that I was taller than Simon.”

Rachel, who has two PHD including one in English Literature, says she is now preparing to head out into the community and fight for the people of Tauranga.

'We need to show the Tauranga people we are here to protect their future.”

When Rachel gets a chance to take off her politician hat, she enjoys travel around the region in campervans and trout fishing.

'I have spent a lot of time in Tauranga and have taught at the Bongard Centre. At the moment I live in Cambridge but will be moving to Tauranga in January.”