No real surprises as National’s party list revealed

NATIONAL has released its party list with few surprises and little cause for dummy-spitting by candidates.

The top 21 are ranked according to their cabinet ranking besides Speaker and list MP David Carter who is No 3, as he was in the 2014 party list.

They are followed in ranking by the three whips, JamiLee Ross, Barbara Kuriger and Matt Doocey.

They are followed by list MP Brett Hudson, standing in Ohariu, where National has an electoral accommodation.

National wants him to campaign for the incumbent, support partner and United Future leader Peter Dunne, which Mr Hudson can do with every expectation he will be returned on the list.

No MPs are ranked below nonMPs.

The highest ranked nonMP is Nicola Willis, a former adviser to former prime minister John Key, at No 48, who is standing in Wellington Central.

Based on the 2014 result of electorate seats won and party vote support Ms Willis would be the 17th MP elected from National’s list after the election on September 23.

But with polls suggesting that National’s Party vote is likely to be less than the 47.04% party vote in 2014, she could be on the cusp.

National at present has 59 seats, 40 of which are electorate seats and 19 of which are list MPs.

The number of list MPs parties get depends on how many electorates they win compared with their entitlement from the party vote.

Party president Peter Goodfellow said rejuvenation was important for any political party and 13 new MPs would enter Parliament alongside 47 returning MPs, based on the 2014 result.

‘‘This is National’s most diverse list ever,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re incredibly proud to represent New Zealanders from all walks of life, with a range of ethnicities and backgrounds.’’

Eleven National MPs are retiring this election: Hekia Parata, list; Murray McCully, East Coast Bays; Craig Foss, Tukituki; Jo Goodhew, Rangitata; Chester Borrows, Whanganui; Peseta Sam LotuIga, Maungakiekie; Lindsay Tisch, Waikato; Maurice Williamson, Pakuranga; Paul FosterBell, list; Jono Naylor, list; and Todd Barclay, CluthaSouthland.

Mr Barclay’s replacement has not yet been selected but that candidate will be placed at No 68 on the list. — NZME