Election 2026: Former Federated Farmers President Named National Party Candidate
Katie Milne, former Federated Farmers president, has been announced as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
New National leader Christopher Luxon says Kuriger is doing an excellent job and he’s confident that the party will win back rural support that moved to Labour during the last election.
Kuriger is ranked 10th in the 20-member shadow cabinet. She also has biosecurity and food safety portfolios.
The climate change and environment portfolios have gone to Scott Simpson, who is ranked 11th.
Luxon says Simpson chairs the party’s ‘Blue Green’ group.
“I think he will deliver the clean and clear thinking needed to navigate climate change,” he says.
“We will get beyond the words and emotion of it and will deliver.”
Former leader Judith Collins drops to 19th on the list and will look after science, innovation and technology.
