First-term MP elected deputy leader of NZ First

First-term MP Tracey Martin has been elected deputy leader of New Zealand First.

A leadership vote was held by the eight members of the New Zealand First caucus at Parliament this morning.

Leader Winston Peters welcomed the result saying Ms Martin was an effective and energetic MP.

She was second on the party list for the 2011 election.

Ms Martin is the party's education spokeswoman and has been involved since it was formed in 1993.

She is based in Warkworth and is aged 49.

She is understood to have been the only nomination for the position.

Her mother, Anne Martin, was elected president at the party's annual convention in Christchurch at the weekend.