The New Zealand First leader has defended the party's decision to demote its MP Andrew Williams on its party list.
Andrew Williams. Photo: NEW ZEALAND FIRST
Winston Peters said Mr Williams, who was number three on the list in 2011, was going to be demoted to number 13 this time, but decided to withdraw instead.
Mr Peters said the New Zealand First board had a reason for demoting the MP.
"Look, the consequences of not understanding the needs of the party and of Caucus are huge and they cannot be avoided, so the party has made a decision in the interests of the country and the party."
Mr Peters accuses Mr Williams of breaching confidentiality by talking to reporters about the list.
Asenati Lole-Taylor, who is often controversially outspoken on social media, is now at number 16, down from number 8 in the last election.
New Zealand First list MP Asenati Lole-Taylor. Photo: NEW ZEALAND FIRST
Ms Lole-Taylor said she was not expecting the demotion and did not know the reason for it.
"This is the time where merit will have to be brought in, I'm not sure on what can be done about it that's already been done - but what it means is that I have to work a lot harder to seek the support of our community."
Ms Lole-Taylor said Pacific Islanders who, like herself, have emigrated to New Zealand, have to work harder to achieve than people born here and that was probably what had happened in this case.
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Party List
The leader, Winston Peters, his deputy, Tracy Martin, and MP Richard Prosser take the top three spots.
Newcomers Fletcher Tabuteau and Clayton Mitchell are ranked fourth and sixth respectively, while former MPs Pita Paraone and Ron Mark are at eight and nine.
New Zealand First list 2014
- 1. Rt. Hon. Winston Peters
- 2. Tracey Martin
- 3. Richard Prosser
- 4. Fletcher Tabuteau
- 5. Barbara Stewart
- 6. Clayton Mitchell
- 7. Denis O'Rourke
- 8. Pita Paraone
- 9. Ron Mark
- 10. Darroch Ball
- 11. Mahesh Bindra
- 12. Ria Bond
- 13. Mataroa Paroro
- 14. Romuald Rudzki
- 15. Jon Reeves
- 16. Asenati Lole-Taylor
- 17. Brent Catchpole
- 18. George Abraham
- 19. Ray Dolman
- 20. Hugh Barr
- 21. Anne Degia Pala
- 22. Steve Campbell
- 23. Edwin Perry
- 24. Bill Gudgeon
- 25. Brent Pierson