The Morgan Foundation has listed Mr Simmons as being "on leave of absence" on their personnel page. He graduated from Auckland Universtity with an honours degree in economics and has worked for Treasury as well as in the UK civil service.

National and ACT have boycotted the February 25 by-election and will not contest it. It was prompted by the resignation of former Labour leader David Shearer who has taken up a job with the United Nations in South Sudan.

Labour's Jacinda Ardern, Green MP Julie Anne Genter, People Before Profit's Joe Carolan and the New Zealand People Party's Vin Tomar are the only ones to put their hats in the ring so far.

A tilt at the seat by The Opportunities Party is a marked contrast from when Dr Morgan unveiled the party last year. He said it would be a list-only party and he wouldn't contest any electorate seats.

Newshub.