High profile broadcaster Paul Henry will stand as an ACT Party list candidate in this year’s general election.

Henry said he was entering politics because he believed New Zealand was failing to reach its potential and wanted to help change the country’s direction.

“I’m standing for ACT because New Zealand has extraordinary potential, but we are not living up to it,” Henry said.

“We should be one of the most prosperous countries on Earth. Instead, too many New Zealanders are struggling to pay the bills, while young people leave in search of better opportunities overseas.”

Henry said his decision was also driven by concerns about the future for his grandchildren.

“My wife and I have ten grandchildren between us. Like every grandparent, I want them to grow up in a country that rewards success, values freedom, and gives people every opportunity to build a better life through their own efforts.”

He criticised successive governments, saying New Zealand had become burdened by increasing bureaucracy, debt and regulation.

Henry also launched a strong attack on the previous Labour led government, saying it left the country “in the shit and up to its eyeballs in debt.” He said while the current coalition had moved in the right direction, it had not gone far enough.

He said ACT was the only party addressing what he described as an economy that was too small and a bureaucracy that was too large.

ACT leader David Seymour welcomed Henry’s candidacy, describing him as “sharp, fearless, and an exceptional communicator.”

“He is not entering politics because he needs another career. He is standing because he refuses to sit back while New Zealand becomes poorer, less ambitious, and divided by race,” Seymour said.

Seymour said Henry understood the importance of growing the economy to deliver higher wages, better public services and greater opportunities for New Zealanders.

Henry will contest the election as an ACT Party list candidate.