Watch: National Party announces list for 2026 General Election
The New Zealand National Party has released its candidate list for the 2026 General Election, maintaining the existing hierarchy for senior members. Party leader Christopher Luxon and deputy Nicola Willis hold the top two spots, while several new candidates have been given prominent rankings.
Why it matters
The list ranking is a strategic move to ensure the return of key caucus members and manage the party's electoral prospects in a competitive political environment.
Senior National MPs who might have been nervous about the party's polling have been ranked highly to give them the best shot of returning to Parliament next term.
The party released its full line-up of election candidates on Saturday afternoon, largely preserving the existing hierarchy.
Chris Bishop retained third place on National's list, a fairly safe spot, even if he lost his hold on the marginal Hutt South electorate.
Similarly, Paul Goldsmith, who's unlikely to win Epsom from ACT leader David Seymour, retained his current sixth position in caucus.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who's running as a list-only candidate, was boosted to the ninth spot, up from 14th in 2023.
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.
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