Ex-All Blacks captain Taine Randell says he's joining New Zealand First for this year's election, after a long dance with the party.

An announcement by leader Winston Peters was scheduled at a public meeting in Hastings on Sunday, but cancelled because of Cyclone Vaianu. 

Randall's likely to become Hawke’s Bay official candidate in coming weeks. 

He says he's fortunate to have had a great rugby career - but his eyes have now turned to the state of the country. 

"Right, now the next phase of my life - I'm pretty keen to contribute to New Zealand." 

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