Incumbent MP Jim Sutton has been confirmed as the Labour candidate for Aoraki.
At an electorate meeting in Timaru last night, Mr Sutton was unanimously selected.
"It is a privilege to represent South Canterbury. Every day I reflect on how fortunate I am to have such an interesting
and satisfying job. I couldn't do it without the support I get from the Labour Party in Aoraki.
"It is great being part of such a diverse and stimulating team in Cabinet. Helen Clark is the most complete Prime
Minister of my time in public life.
"Labour has not enjoyed the length of time in office of our principal opposition, but there is no doubt in my mind that
it is successive Labour governments that have provided New Zealanders with a quality of life far above that of citizens
of countries with similar levels of income.
"We've made a few mistakes along the way, but in general we've avoided the biggest mistake of all which is to put off
making difficult decisions.
"In my view, Labour should have the objective now of establishing itself in government for a sustained period, to
consolidate the progress we've made this term."
Ends