Labour list MP Ibrahim Omer will contest the Wellington Central seat at this year's general election. Photo: Phil Smith
Labour has selected list MP Ibrahim Omer to contest the Wellington Central seat at the 2023 election.
Omer arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Eritrea in 2008.
He became an MP in 2020. At his maiden speech, he spoke of cleaning lecture theatres at Victoria University while he worked for his degree there.
"As someone who has worked long hours for low pay, I want to ensure that everyone who works hard in our communities can get ahead and improve their lives. Throughout my life I have seen the power of communities coming together to make change. That is the approach I will bring to advocating for Wellington Central," he said in a statement.
Current Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson announced in January he would be stepping down from the seat he has held since 2008, and contesting the election as a list-only candidate.
Omer shares an office with Robertson in the electorate, and described him as his friend and mentor.
"Grant has been a tireless advocate for the people of his electorate. I want to follow in his example by promoting our city, celebrating everything that makes us wonderful and unique, and working hard to make the improvements we need," he said.
Omer will be going up against the Green Party's Tamatha Paul for the seat, which has historically been a safe Labour electorate.
National is yet to select a candidate.