Infectious disease specialist Dr Ayesha Verrall, who was a go-to voice during Covid-19 pandemic, has been giving a prominent spot on Labour's list.
Verrall has been placed at number 18, which means she is very likely to be an MP after September's election.
The Labour Party this afternoon revealed its list for the election – its lineup of which candidates would make it into Parliament if they don't win their electorate.
Dunedin MP and Health Minister David Clark has been demoted from his 2017 list ranking from ninth to 17th.
But he has effectively kept the same ranking after he was demoted to the bottom rung of Cabinet for breaking the Covid lockdown rules when he took his family to the beach.
As expected, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is number 1, followed by Kelvin Davis then Grant Robertson – all three are electorate MPs expected to win their seats.
The highest-ranking MP without an electorate is Andrew Little – he has been placed at number seven.
Phil Twyford has been moved up a place, and is at number four – he was number five before the 2017 election.
Labour Party president Claire Szabó said the list shows Labour has harnessed the broadest range of New Zealand with the right skills as the country rebuilds and recovers from Covid-19.
"Our list boosts our existing team with new talent from a range of different backgrounds including health, law and business to help us rebuild in the years to come."
She said September's election will be the "most important election for a generation" as the country recovers from the impact of Covid-19.
Although at number 18 on the list, Verrall is effectively at number five, given the 13 candidates ahead of her will most likely win their seats.
According to Labour's profile of her: "Verrall is an infectious diseases specialist who led the work to improve the Government's contact tracing programme to protect New Zealanders from Covid-19."
She is an elected member and deputy chair of the Capital and Coast District Health Board and works as an infectious disease doctor at Wellington Hospital, the profile said.
Other new candidates include human rights lawyer Vanushi Walters, employment lawyer Camilla Belich and director of a business consultancy firm Naisi Chen.
The list
- Jacinda Ardern
- Kelvin Davis
- Grant Robertson
- Phil Twyford
- Megan Woods
- Chris Hipkins
- Andrew Little
- Carmel Sepuloni
- David Parker
- Nanaia Mahuta
- Trevor Mallard
- Stuart Nash
13 Iain Lees-Galloway
- Jenny Salesa
- Damien O'Connor
- Kris Faafoi
- David Clark
- Ayesha Verrall
- Peeni Henare
- Willie Jackson
- Aupito William Sio
- Poto Williams
- Vanushi Walters
- Michael Wood
- Adrian Rurawhe
- Raymond Huo
- Kiri Allan
- Kieran McAnulty
- Louisa Wall
- Meka Whaitiri
- Rino Tirikatene
- Camilla Belich
- Priyanca Radhakrishnan
- Jan Tinetti
- Deborah Russell
- Marja Lubeck
- Angie Warren-Clark
- Willow-Jean Prime
- Tamati Coffey
- Naisi Chen
- Jo Luxton
- Jamie Strange
- Liz Craig
- Ibrahim Omer
- Duncan Webb
- Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki
- Ginny Andersen
- Rachel Brooking
- Paul Eagle
- Helen White
- Barbara Edmonds
- Angela Roberts
- Shanan Halbert
- Neru Leavasa
- Tracey McLellan
- Lemauga Lydia Sosene
- Steph Lewis
- Dan Rosewarne
- Rachel Boyack
- Arena Williams
- Ingrid Leary
- Soraya Peke-Mason
- Lotu Fuli
- Sarah Pallett
- Gaurav Sharma
- Emily Henderson
- Terisa Ngobi
- Kurt Taogaga
- Kerrin Leoni
- Reuben Davidson
- Zahra Hussaini
- Janet Holborow
- Romy Udanga
- Ala' Al-Bustanji
- Glen Bennett
- Monina Hernandez
- Claire Mahon
- Jon Mitchell
- Nathaniel Blomfield
- Nerissa Henry
- Mathew Flight
- Shirin Brown
- Liam Wairepo
- Georgie Dansey
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