Political parties are moving to select candidates for the upcoming Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election.
The Speaker of Parliament will this week formally declare the seat vacant following the death of Labour MP Parekura Horomia.
Labour Party leader David Shearer says the selection process will have to be quite quick as the by-election is likely to be about the end of June.
He says there have already been some informal discussion with potential candidates.
Maori Party president Pem Bird says the party is under no illusions about how tough a contest it will be and it's taking the by-election very seriously.
He says the party is meeting with the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate council on Monday night and will be putting a plan in place.
The National Party will not stand a candidate, and Mana and the Greens have not yet made a decision on whether to contest the seat.
