Trade envoy jumps the party queue

National yesterday unveiled its party list, describing it as the strongest line-up of candidates for several elections.

As signalled, only former Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation Tim Groser has been placed above some sitting MPs, gaining a ranking of 13.

The recently recruited Mr Groser, who has been slotted in below Clevedon MP Judith Collins and above North Shore MP Wayne Mapp, is one of only three candidates standing for list-only positions.

The other two are leader Don Brash and Georgina te Heuheu.

Two other list-only positions were left open for any outstanding new recruits, but will not now be filled.

President Judy Kirk said yesterday the National board had never determined it would fill all of the five positions and as the calibre of the constituency candidates emerged, it became clear it didn't need to.

She believed the quality of candidates was an improvement on recent elections.

"Political commentators and others have said to me this is the strongest line-up since 1990, others say it's longer than that."

Wellington barrister and long-time party activist Chris Finlayson has been given the highest placing among newcomers after Mr Groser.

Former New Zealand First MP Tau Henare won the top Auckland regional spot for a newcomer, practically guaranteeing him a seat in Parliament.

School principal Allan Peachey contesting the blue ribbon Tamaki seat was ranked right behind Mr Henare at No 30.

At No 35, Northcote candidate Johnathan Coleman, a doctor, would also make it into Parliament on present polling.

No changes have been made to the order in which sitting MPs are ranked, avoiding any feather-ruffling within the caucus.

The National list was last reshuffled in February, when welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich was demoted and Helensville MP John Key promoted.

National has only 27 sitting MPs and two - Roger Sowry and Lynda Scott - are retiring at the election.

The NZ Herald digipoll published on Friday revealed if an election were held today, National would win 47 seats in Parliament. This would mean almost half the caucus would be new MPs.

Mrs Kirk said yesterday the list had been carefully selected to ensure the party had the people with the experience and expertise to put together a Cabinet as well as head select committees and manage other business.

Mr Henare's political experience had worked in his favour and two former National MPs were also on the list, she pointed out.

Former Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky was ranked 36, a lower position than some had predicted. The intention is clearly to prevent him from taking a complacent approach to what the party believes is his winnable battle for the Wellington Central seat. National holds no Wellington seats and is desperate to regain a presence there.

Act leader Rodney Hide is standing for Epsom, but on current polling the party would not make it back into Parliament unless it won an electorate seat.

National could facilitate this by asking its supporters to give their constituency vote to Act, but has faced internal criticism for similar moves in the past.