Stephen Jack has resigned as the National Party candidate for Taieri after it was revealed he shared a poem online comparing Jacinda Ardern to Adolf Hitler.
A National Party spokesperson told RNZ on Wednesday night via email the party would open selection for another candidate for the seat in due course.
Earlier, Jack re-posted a crass joke, condemned by National's leader and deputy leader.
National's Taieri candidate Stephen Jack posted a sexist joke on Facebook. Photo: New Zealand National Party
It has come to light as deputy leader Nicola Willis labelled an earlier, sexist joke shared by Jack as "disgusting" - and warned a repeat incident may trigger the party's disciplinary code.
Our political editor Jane Patterson spoke to Corin Dann.
