Former Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett has turned his back on the Labour Party.

Mr Leggett resigned from the party when he decided to stand for Wellington's Mayoralty, where he was beaten by Justin Lester.

Mr Lester was selected as Labour's candidate.

Nick Leggett told Tim Fookes he's still interested in a career in politics, but it wouldn't be with Labour as the party has changed.

"I want to live in a country that's open, its borders are open, it's open to migrants, it's open to trade."

"Unfortunately Labour seems to be going in the opposite direction to that, and I think it's very sad."

MORE: Nick Leggett's full interview with the Tim Fookes Morning Show