Former Labour Party stalwart and Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett is now a paid-up member of the National Party.

Newshub has learned Mr Leggett will now try to secure National's nomination as the candidate for the Mana electorate at next year's election, with incumbent Hekia Parata stepping aside.

National Party insiders say Mr Leggett will make his decision public tomorrow.

Mr Leggett's been a lifelong paid-up member of the Labour Party, but cancelled his membership this year when he contested the Wellington mayoralty against Labour-endorsed candidate Justin Lester.

It prompted a stoush within Labour at the time, and leader Andrew Little still holds it against him.

"Labour people, passionate Labour in their heart - they stick with Labour, they campaign on Labour issues, and for the Labour Party. Nick's not one of those people," Mr Little said at the weekend.

Mr Leggett's political waka-jump follows revelations by Newshub last week that he was being lined up as the candidate, which he refused to rule out.

Ms Parata confirmed Tuesday that she'd been in touch with Mr Leggett to take her place.

Newshub.