THE FACTS

• National unveiled its party list for the 2026 election on Saturday
• The party’s support has fallen since the previous election in 2023
• Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis defended the lack of women, Māori and Pasifika in the top echelons

The announcement of a party list can crack the carefully crafted perception of caucus unity and risk damaging MP morale.

As a party’s overall support tumbles, electorate MPs begin worrying about their hold on their seat and start considering the likelihood of needing to use the list as