Winners and losers on NZ First party list

New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser has plummeted down the party’s list less than a week after being pulled into line by leader Winston Peters following controversial comments on the party’s energy sector renationalisation plan.  

The party’s state-owned enterprises spokesman has fallen from third to 15 on the list.  On current polling, he would not re-enter Parliament.

Former Labour Party MP turned NZ First Whangarei candidate Shane Jones has been placed 8^th on the list despite comments from the party’s president Brent Catchpole last night that Mr Jones was given the 9^th position.

Asked why Mr Jones was placed eighth, Mr Peters says it’s a good place for him to be.

“It’s a sign of confidence that we have some serious talent here and given the longevity of others in the party, it is a very excellent position to be in.”

Mr Jones says he’s happy with his position on the list, telling media “this is not a Willy Jackson moment.”

He says he never once lobbied Mr Peters or contacted a single board member about the rankings.

However, Mr Peters wouldn't be drawn on Mr Prosser’s position or his performance as an MP.

When contacted, Mr Prosser said he was unable to comment on the list because of a disclosure agreement he signed in which he agreed not to talk.

Mr Prosser made headlines last week after he was called a “f***ing idiot" by ACT leader David Seymour.

His comments came soon after Mr Prosser had outlined plans to renationalise New Zealand’s energy sector.

He told business people at the BusinessNZ election conference that if they had shares in Contact Energy, to “get rid of them now.”

“We have a policy to bring the major generation assets that were built by taxpayers over the previous decades back under a single state-controlled umbrella.”

Asked how NZ First planned to pay for this policy, Mr Prosser said if his party were in government, the energy companies would be bought for the same price they were sold for.

His comments caused quite a stir at the conference.

Hours later, Mr Peters pulled his MP back into line.

“Richard Prosser’s comment at a BusinessNZ panel in Wellington today can be described as a throwaway line that was not fully explained.

“Had he had the time, he would have explained that the buy back of power companies would be at an appropriate time in the future, that is, we would only be buying back shares when they became available.”

Meanwhile, NZ First’s housing, environment and RMA, justice, and transport spokesman Denis O’Rourke has been demoted from 7^th to 13^th.

Ron Mark was awarded the number two spot, followed by Tracey Martin at number three. She was deputy leader from 2011 to 2015.

Winston Peters remains number one on the list. He was not available for comment at the time of publication.

First 15 on the list:

1. Winston Peters
2. Ron Mark
3. Tracey Martin
4. Fletcher Tabuteau
5. Darroch Ball 
6. Clayton Mitchell
7. Mark Patterson
8. Shane Jones
9. Jenny Marcroft
10. Mahesh Bindra 
11. Pita Paraone
12. Ria Bond
13. Denis O’Rourke
14. David Wilson
15. Richard Prosser