A time of reflection and change for the National Party, but not its leadership.

The party is gathering in Wellington today after suffering its worst election result since 2002.

Preliminary results give the party 35 seats, losing 19.

Speaking to Mike Hosking, former cabinet minister and party strategist Steven Joyce pinpointed the party's demise back to Jami-Lee Ross "and it went on from there". 

Joyce, who did the National Party election review in 2002, said while the party was predictably hurting from the result introspection was important to find a way forward and learn from mistakes. 

He was confident Judith Collins would remain as leader of the party despite the loss.

Joyce said it was likely when the party looked over the past term they would identify a number of areas where they would have done things differently.

"I don't think there should be any change. I think Judith has done a good job. By her own admission she says it hasn't been perfect - it's very hard for it to be in that situation.,

" I think it's really important that people stop talking out of school and caucus will know who's doing that - they'll have a fair idea - and only they can impose that discipline but that only looks self-serving."

He said there were no political factions within the National party of any note.

"The factions are personality factions and there are a few personalities who think they should run the show and they would have done a hell of a lot better," said Joyce.

"I've got news for them - they probably wouldn't have."

"They should probably just pipe down and get on with the job of rebuilding the team because that's what's really important."