Summarised by Centrist
Speculation is growing that former MP, mayor and broadcaster Michael Laws could return to politics as New Zealand First’s candidate for Waitaki.
The Platform, where Laws is one of the main hosts, is running ads for upcoming NZ First meetings in Oamaru and Timaru hosted by deputy leader Shane Jones.
Laws has also hinted on air that an announcement is coming, but would not confirm details when approached by Stuff.
“I never comment on rumour or speculation,” he said.
NZ First also declined to comment on candidate selections, while the party’s previous Waitaki candidate confirmed he was no longer standing.
Winston Peters was evasive when asked whether Laws would be the candidate.
“What are you talking about, why are you asking me?” Peters told Stuff.
“I’m the leader of New Zealand First, we don’t handle this kind of basic stuff that is handled by the party.”
Laws previously entered Parliament as a National MP in 1990 before defecting to NZ First and resigning in 1996. He later served as Whanganui mayor from 2004 to 2010 and is now an Otago Regional Councillor.
Waitaki is currently held by National’s Miles Anderson, who won the seat in 2023 with a 12,151-vote margin over Labour. Labour list MP Damien O’Connor is standing there in 2026.
