Election 2026: Clutch of senior ministers including Nicola Willis, Paul Goldsmith likely out of Parliament
Several senior members of New Zealand's National Party, including Finance Minister Nicola Willis, are likely to lose their seats following the 2026 General Election. The party failed to secure enough votes to maintain its previous parliamentary standing.
Why it matters
Signals a major shake-up in New Zealand's government leadership and parliamentary composition.
National’s deputy leader has conceded she’ll be out of Parliament, saying she has “likely lost her job”.
Several of the National Party’s most senior members are likely to be out of a job after the 2026 General Election, as 16 members from across the political spectrum face the boot.
The biggest casualties of the night include the National Party’s deputy leader and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith and Gerry Brownlee.
Willis, ranked No 2 on the party list, was one of the most senior members of Parliament, working as Minister of Finance, Social Investment, Economic Growth and the Public Service over the past term.
She decided to run as a list-only candidate, requiring the party to maintain the party vote it received at the 2023 General Election, which has not eventuated.
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