Tāmati Coffey says he's ready to fight for the East Coast.

He's taken back his political resignation, and has been selected to contest the electorate seat, replacing Kiri Allan.

She's not standing, after her mental health struggles culminated in a car crash last Sunday.

Coffey says he previously thought he didn't have enough gas in the tank, but that's changed.

"The people of the East Coast want some leadership, they started this year with two senior Labour MPs- they've now got none. And I think that that's what the people of the East Coast need."

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