ACT has released its party list for the 2026 general election, with broadcaster Paul Henry placed fourth, leapfrogging several sitting MPs and minister Karen Chhour.
Henry's placement all but secures him a spot in parliament without contesting an electorate. ACT leader David Seymour described him as "a beloved broadcaster and national treasure who wants a better future for his grandchildren."
Seymour and Nicole McKee, the party's deputy leader, occupy the first two spots on the list.
Current minister of biosecurity and food safety Andrew Hoggard, a dairy farmer and former Federated Farmers president, was promoted to third on the list. Seymour said Hoggard had been the "driving force behind cutting red tape and bringing common sense to climate policy" this term.
"His promotion is recognition for the work he's done and the continued importance of having an authentic farmer standing up for rural New Zealand," Seymour said.
Another notable addition is James Christmas, placed seventh in his first run at political office. Seymour called him "one of the best legal minds I've met and a dedicated champion for Tāmaki".
Christmas, who was on the National Party list at the last election, is running to replace Brooke van Velden, who is not running for re-election.
Other fresh faces include Iain Murray and Antonia Modkova, placed 11th and 13th respectively.
Seymour outlined three points of focus for ACT's campaign: government waste, cutting business restrictions and a stronger emphasis on equal rights under the law.
"ACT's candidates are standing because they want to cut the waste so New Zealand can grow, delete the stupid rules holding productive people back, and restore the basic principle that every New Zealander has the same rights and responsibilities," Seymour said.
He said the range of expertise and professional backgrounds among ACT's candidates put the party in a strong position heading into the election.
"There are tradies, engineers, farmers, small business owners, hunters, legal experts, health professionals, school principals and more," Seymour said.
ACT party president John Windsor said the calibre of the list reflected the party's growing support base.
"ACT has been steadily growing for the past couple of elections, and every election there are more talented candidates wanting to put their hand up to represent ACT," he said.
"We have momentum and I'm confident we will grow the party again on November 7."
ACT's full list for 2026 election
1. David Seymour
2. Nicole McKee
3. Andrew Hoggard
4. Paul Henry
5. Karen Chhour
6. Todd Stephenson
7. James Christmas
8. Simon Court
9. Laura McClure
10. Parmjeet Parmar
11. Iain Murray
12. Cameron Luxton
13. Antonia Modkova
14. Alex Price
15. Janelle Hocking
16. Ash Parmar
17. Yang Qu
18. Davina Smolders
19. Amanda Roberts
20. Callum Sheridan
21. Henrietta Devoe
22. Samuel Mills
23. Nigel Elder
24. Tom Spooner
25. Juan Alvarez De Lugo
26. Manu Singh
27. Helena Roza
28. Ali Dahche
29. Malkiat Singh
30. Ash Bettridge
31. Zachary Wellman
32. Robbie Byars
33. Matthew Hague
34. Nick Peirce
35. Darrin Hawkes
36. Panos Patros
37. Aaron Allred
38. Doug Graham
Toni Severin
Johno Ormond
Bryan Norton
Martin Lundqvist
Sarah Lochead-Macmillan
Ken Harpur
Sean Beamish
Chris Baillie
The final candidates from 39 to 46 were left unranked, and their order was subject to change.
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