Former MP, broadcaster Michael Laws to stand for NZ First

<p>Otago Regional councillor, former MP, and broadcaster Michael Laws is looking to return to Parliament, running as a candidate for New Zealand First. </p> <p>In a statement this morning, NZ First leader Winston Peters said Laws will stand in the Waitaki electorate during November's election. </p> <p>He will be looking to unseat the incumbent, National's Miles Anderson. </p> <p>"Laws will be an asset to the New Zealand First team, bringing a wealth of experience, skills, and leadership to parliament," Peters said.</p> <p>Laws was last in Parliament during the 90s, serving as National's MP for Hawke's Bay for two terms between 1990 and 1996. </p> <p>He defected to NZ First in 1996, and subsequently resigned from Parliament after what was dubbed the "Antoinette Beck Affair". </p> <p>Laws' resignation came after a Napier City Council poll he had organised while serving as a councillor at the same time. The poll was signed off by the fictitious Antoinette Beck, who was later revealed to be his parliamentary secretary. The poll contract had been awarded to his wife's company.</p> <p>Following his resignation, Laws remained with NZ First, managing the party's campaign for the 1996 election. </p> <p>He was previously mayor of Whanganui from 2004 to 2010 and served as a councillor from 2013 to 2014. </p> <p>Laws is currently serving as an Otago Regional Councillor and is a host for media outlet The Platform. </p>