Jones is set to go up against National MP Matt King who currently holds the seat, a battle that is tipped to decide this year's election.
Political commentator Shane Te Pou gives Jones a fair go.
"I think there might not be a dead deal on the table, but Willow-Jean Prime is likely to be the Labour candidate, might just tone it down a bit.
"I think he's in with a shot."
Mr Te Pou believes, like Party leader Winston Peters, Jones has enough of an image to win over the public.
"No he's not a Winston, but he is a high-profile in his own right - born and bred in the far North."
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.