The Labour candidate for Tauranga in the 2014 general election is likely to be from Tauranga for the first time in many years.

Instead of running a 'parachuter” - a candidate brought in from outside Tauranga - the Labour Electorate Council has three Tauranga candidates to choose from out of the four vying for selection this year, with the two stage selection process beginning tonight.

Tauranga Labour Party is deciding its Tauranga member.

Labour Party members have the opportunity to meet the candidates at a question and answer session at 7pm at the Senior Citizens Hall in Maitland Street, Greerton. New members can join at the door.

The second part of the process is the selection meeting at 12:30pm Saturday. Entry to both meetings is party members only.

'The high number of prospective candidates reflects the upswing of local interest in the Party, which mirrors the rising fortunes of Labour around the country,” says Des Vize | Secretary-Treasurer of Tauranga LEC.

'Membership numbers have doubled during 2013 and were given a shot in the arm by recent visits to Tauranga by our new leader, David Cunliffe, and our former leader, Helen Clark.

'We expect to do even better next year and to win a strong party vote in Tauranga in the general election.”

Tauranga has an unfortunate reputation for being a low wage city, and it is not surprising that it has the most active branch of the Closing the Gap campaign, says Des.

'The people who receive those low wages are hurting and want a living wage. There is a mood for change and our new candidate will give people a real focus for powerful campaigning.”