Six people have thrown their hats in the ring to seek selection in New Lynn but the battle is expected to come down to two.

Among those seeking to stand for Labour in former leader David Cunliffe's electorate are two current Auckland local board members – Greg Presland​ and Susan Zhu.

If either make it to Parliament then it would trigger a local body by-election.

JOHN SELKIRK/FAIRFAX NZ David Cunliffe talks with close associate Greg Presland, right, at a Labour Party conference in 2012.

The four others being considered are: Christina Faumuina​, Deborah Russell, Owen Gill, and Sunny Kaushal.

But sources say the Labour nomination is likely to come down to either Massey University tax expert Russell or Cunliffe confidant Presland.

Russell stood for Labour in Rangitikei in 2014 and was ranked 33 on the Labour Party list.

None Deborah Russell is a senior lecturer at Massey University.

New Lynn Labour Electorate Committee chairperson Clare Hargrave confirmed the six are vying to be Labour's candidate for New Lynn.

Presland says that if he is selected then he believes he is capable of campaigning and being chairman of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, as he is used to working long hours.

But he will look at whether he should stand down to campaign if he was to win the nomination.

FAITH SUTHERLAND David Cunliffe with Deborah Russell in Rangitikei.

"I'd have to assess that at the time ... I will have to discuss with the board," he says.

The Titirangi lawyer says that although he is happy being chairman of the local board, the seat of the New Lynn electorate, where he lives, has now come up.

There are some issues that are better handled at the national level, he says – such as climate change, child poverty and the housing crisis.

Lawyer Susan Zhu is deputy chairperson of the Whau Local Board.

They will front up to party members for a question and answer session on February 4, and the candidate will be selected at a party meeting on February 11.

Current New Lynn MP and former party leader David Cunliffe announced in November he would not seek re-election.

Cunliffe won the New Lynn seat by 4557 votes in 2014. However, National won the party vote there in both 2011 and 2014.

In the Kelston electorate, MP Carmel Sepuloni​ is confirmed to stand again.

MP Phil Twyford says he is standing again in the Te Atatu electorate again this year but he is also overseeing Labour's national campaign.