Self confessed current affairs "junkie" Mei Taare was last night selected to contest the Bay of Plenty seat for Labour in this year's election from a field of four contestants.

Mei Taare, Prime Television's news anchor for much of the past four years is an outstanding candidate, according to Labour President Mike Williams, who says the Bay of Plenty is ripe for the picking.

"This is the day that begins the end of the National party's dominance of New Zealand's gold coast. For the first time in nine years we have an opportunity to make this a Labour seat and a safe one at that".

Mike Williams says Mei Taare has an impressive CV and whakapapa.

"She spent 10 years in New Zealand's Washington Embassy as a Senior public affairs officer, she is a professional broadcaster of high standing in both the general and Maori domain and she is currently completing a Social Science degree.

"Mei has strong tribal links to Ngati Porou and learned the power of education from her parents, prominent educationalists Tamati and Tilly Reedy."

Mike Williams says Mei Taare has the energy, competence, professionalism and passion to win the seat for Labour.

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