New Zealand First has selected the former mayor Vince Cocurollo as its candidate in the Whangārei seat.
Cocurollo, who runs an IT business, served three terms as a Whangārei councillor and one term as mayor before narrowly missing re-election last year.
In his time as mayor, Cocurollo had defied a Ministry of Health directive to fluoridate the city’s water supply. He blamed a strong campaign against this decision for his loss of the mayoralty.
NZ First leader Winston Peters announced his candidacy at a rally at Semenoff Stadium on Sunday. He also said sitting MP Jenny Marcroft would stand in the neighbouring Kaipara ki Mahurangi seat.
The Whangārei seat is held by National MP Shane Reti, who is retiring from politics at the election.
