NZ First president and secretary resign while party reviews election campaign

The president and secretary general of New Zealand First have resigned as the party reviews the election campaign that ousted it from Parliament.

The resignations of President Kristin Campbell-Smith and Secretary General Liz Witehira were confirmed by the interim party president, Darroch Ball.

New Zealand First Treasurer Holly Howard has been appointed Secretary General.

In an email to supporters, Ball, who was No. 6 on the party’s list in the election, thanked Campbell-Smith and Witehira for their hard work during the last term.

“It was a very challenging period for the party and due to the loyalty of our party members, we are in a position to look to a strong and successful future,” Ball said.

NZ First went from being in the Deputies’ Parliament after winning 7.2% of the votes in 2020 to being expelled entirely when it won just 2.6% in the October elections.

Ball said the party had begun work on “several particularly important areas of focus including an election review,” electorate planning and organizing its AGM next year.

Ball said being named acting president was “a great honor and responsibility.”

“I have been a member of the party for over a decade with experience as a former board member, vice president and member of Parliament, and I look forward to next year for the party.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank all the candidates, members and supporters for their hard work and loyalty during this challenging year.”