Broadcaster turned political candidate Paul Henry has debuted at number four on the ACT Party list, making it likely he will enter Parliament next term on current polling.<\/p>\n
The party released its full candidate list ranking on Sunday, with fellow newcomer James Christmas debuting at seven.<\/p>\n
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has jumped from fifth to third while Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has gone up one ranking to replace him at number five on the list.<\/p>\n
However, MPs Todd Stephenson, Parmjeet Parmar and Cameron Luxton have all fallen in rank; Luxton form 11th to 12th, Parmer from ninth to 10th and Stephenson, who has dropped from fourth on the list to sixth.<\/p>\n
The party’s new deputy leader Nicole McKee has taken second on the list, following the departure of out-going MP and deputy leader Brooke van Velden.<\/p>\n
Speaking to media, leader David Seymour said he felt an “awesome responsibility” and he “must get these people elected to Parliament”.<\/p>\n
“The biggest stories today is the ACT Party is planning to re-elect every one of its incumbent MPs – except two who have retired for understandable reasons.”<\/p>\n
“All of them will be re-elected on current polling and then a couple more.” he said.<\/p>\n
He said has was “absolutely confident” Henry would perform will in Parliament, despite having no prior experience.<\/p>\n
“The thing about Paul is that a lot of New Zealanders know Paul for about two minutes of video that lingers on YouTube 15 years later.”<\/p>\n
“I know Paul from sitting down with him in the office, at his house, having a wine. He’s a deeply patriotic, sincere and conscientious New Zealander who’s doing this for his grandkids who he loves deeply.” he said.<\/p>\n
Seymour said both Hoggard and Stephenson also debuted high on the list without prior experience, so the move was not “unprecedented”.<\/p>\n
Seymour denied ACT was “making room” for Henry and Christmas.<\/p>\n
“We get a list; we take into account every aspect of a person’s performance [and] obviously some of our candidates are experienced MPs.”<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t say that we’ve made room, I would say that we have ranked our list on all of their attributes, including their parliamentary experience.”<\/p>\n
Far North councillor Davina Smolders – a vocal opponent of unelected iwi and hap\u016b representation on councils – is ranked 18 on the list.<\/p>\n
Asked about Smolder’s position on the list, Seymour said he had nothing against “controversial figures”.<\/p>\n
“I’ve actually got quite some sympathy for them, to be honest.”<\/p>\n
“Davina Smolders has stood up to anti-democratic practices… there’s three M\u0101ori in this front row here who very strongly believe in democracy and support Davina.”<\/p>\n
The first 20 candidates are listed as follows:<\/p>\n