Reti favourite for deputy role

AUCKLAND: National’s recently defeated, but still highprofile, health spokesman Shane Reti is the favourite among his colleagues to take over from Gerry Brownlee as the party’s deputy leader next week.

Mr Brownlee — who lost his longheld Ilam electorate seat in the election — said yesterday he would not be seeking reappointment as the deputy leader when Caucus meets on Tuesday.

Instead, he would be focusing on rebuilding National’s base in Christchurch, he said.

When it comes to his replacement, there is really only one name on National Party MPs’ lips: Shane Reti.

This is despite Dr Reti losing his Whangarei seat by 431 votes after special votes were counted yesterday.

Some National MPs told the Herald Dr Reti was the clear choice to take over from Mr Brownlee.

One MP said Dr Reti was Ms Collins’ top pick for deputy.

‘‘The only question is whether or not there is going to be a contest for it [the deputy job].’’ — The New Zealand Herald