New Zealand First's president says high profile candidate Shane Jones has been ranked ninth on the party's list but its leader Winston Peters says that is not so.
Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ
Previously a Labour Party MP, Mr Jones has been hoping to make a political comeback, standing in the Whangarei seat for New Zealand First against National's Shane Reti.
New Zealand First Party president Brent Catchpole told Checkpoint with John Campbell there was no discussion about whether Mr Jones might like to go higher on the list.
"That was a consensus of the list ranking committee."
Mr Catchpole said Mr Jones appeared to have no problem being put at number nine.
But Mr Peters tonight denied this, and would not confirm where Mr Jones would be placed.
"My board is having a meeting tonight. So they're at the meeting discussing this issue.
"What they've decided, I don't know ... [but] the number you gave me is wrong."
Mr Peters said the list would likely be made public by midday tomorrow.
The current RNZ poll of polls puts New Zealand First on 9.5 percent meaning Mr Jones would make it into parliament on the list even if he does not win his electorate.
TOP party appoints co-deputy leader
TOP Party deputy co-leader Teresa Moore with Gareth Morgan and Geoff Simmons. Photo: RNZ
The Opportunities Party has appointed its East Coast Bays' candidate, Teresa Moore, as a co-deputy alongside Geoff Simmons.
Announcing the move this morning, the party's founder, Gareth Morgan, said he was keen to focus on policy, and this plan allowed others to run the team when TOP got to Parliament.
"Since becoming a candidate Teresa has impressed us all with her clear grasp of environmental issues, and empathy and engaging with people, and no nonsense approach to politics."
Mr Morgan said he and Mr Simmons' passion was policy.
"So both of us really you could accuse of being policy wonkers, whereas Teresa is far more experienced in politics herself, she's been with the Greens."
"When you've got a caucus you know, you've got to manage people which is more her natural forte than mine, I just want to do the job."
Ms Moore trained as a marine scientist and has run her own tourism company in New Zealand and Tonga.
Mr Morgan said TOP would not enter a formal coalition or confidence and supply arrangement with anyone in exchange for Ministerial posts.
However, if the need arose, TOP would negotiate a confidence and supply agreement with the party trying to form a government in return for policy concessions, Mr Morgan said.
