The party released its full line-up of election candidates on Saturday afternoon, largely preserving the existing hierarchy.<\/p>\n
Chris Bishop<\/a> retained third place on National’s list, a fairly safe spot, even if he lost his hold on the marginal Hutt South electorate.<\/p>\n Similarly, Paul Goldsmith, who’s unlikely to win Epsom from ACT leader David Seymour, retained his current sixth position in caucus.<\/p>\n Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who’s running as a list-only candidate, was boosted to the ninth spot, up from 14th in 2023.<\/p>\n Who’s up and who’s down as National reveals its election list – Watch on TVNZ+<\/a><\/p>\n The move stops short of the traditional third ranking sometimes given to Speakers, but makes Brownlee’s return likely if National performs near its current polling.<\/p>\n Recent polls put National on about 31%, which would secure them about 39 or 40 seats. Political analysts have noted that a strong performance across electorates, however, could leave the party with very few list MPs.<\/p>\n But for Bishop, Goldsmith and Brownlee, the election rankings should provide a degree of protection and comfort.<\/p>\n Hutt South MP Chris Bishop. (Source: rnz.co.nz)<\/p>\n In line with the party’s constitution, leader Christopher Luxon and deputy Nicola Willis took the top two positions. Willis is also reliant on her list spot to return.<\/p>\n The list ranked Simeon Brown fourth, Erica Stanford fifth, Louise Upston seventh and Mark Mitchell eighth. All four of them are expected to win their electorates.<\/p>\n Tama Potaka shot to 11th on the list, up from from 24th in 2023. In contrast, former broadcasting minister Melissa Lee dropped from 13th to 30th.<\/p>\n New faces who have been awarded high rankings include Dale Stephens in Christchurch Central (23), Mahesh Muralidhar in Tamaki (24), Katie Milne in West Coast-Tasman (25) and Angee Nicholas in Henderson (26).<\/p>\n The party highlighted all four candidates in its promotional material, noting Milne’s history as a former Federated Farmers president and Stephens’ executive experience.<\/p>\n Luxon: ‘It’s a week in politics for me’<\/p>\n Addressing reporters at Wellington Airport, Luxon said National was “ruthlessly focused” on maximising its party vote.<\/p>\n He said Brownlee’s ranking reflected that he was considered a great “kaum\u0101tua” or elder in the party.<\/p>\n “He’s been in Parliament now for 30 years. We really value Gerry. We think very highly of him.”<\/p>\n Parliament’s Speaker Gerry Brownlee. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n National’s list announcement comes at a difficult point for the governing party, with its support having fallen significantly from the 2023 election.<\/p>\n It also follows a difficult period for Luxon who began the week apologising to small businesses<\/a> in Rotorua.<\/p>\n He’s also been criticised<\/a> for his inability to discipline his foreign minister<\/a> Winston Peters, his impromptu call for a referendum on MMP, <\/a>and his use of Defence Force planes.<\/p>\n![\"Hutt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/hutt-south-mp-chris-bishop-ABF6XQWMV5HENGFA3XDIEIYZZQ.jpg\")
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