New ACT party leader John Banks says he has taken on the role as leader reluctantly.
[image:4624:third:right]He is replacing Don Brash, who stepped down at the last election after the party failed to bring any extra MPs to Parliament. Mr Banks won the electorate seat of Epsom.
Mr Banks says he never wanted to be leader but he says it is logical given he is the only ACT member in Parliament.
Mr Banks says he will work tirelessly during the next three years to rebuild the party.
He is a former National Party cabinet minister and also formerly mayor of Auckland.
The party says the appointment was a unanimous decision by its board.
