The Northern Express Herald

Election 2026: Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell lands at No 9 on NZ First’s election list

New Zealand First's Tukituki candidate Taine Randell at the party's convention and campaign launch in July. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
New Zealand First's Tukituki candidate Taine Randell at the party's convention and campaign launch in July. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Former All Blacks captain and potential debut politician Taine Randell has landed in New Zealand First’s top 10 in his first election.

New Zealand First released its party list on Wednesday, with the Tukituki candidate the highest Hawke’s Bay hopeful at No 9, followed by Wairarapa’s Ron Mark at No 16 and Napier’s Te Kira Lawrence at No 28.

Hawke’s Bay-grown rugby referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri, who is running for NZ First in the Mt Albert electorate, is at No 32, while Hastings councillor Steve Gibson, running for the Rangītikei electorate, is at No 33.

Taine called his top-10 selection “incredible” and said he was excited to be there with a “strong” collection of candidates.

“The strength of everyone ... across business, politics, broadcasting and everywhere else, I’m really excited about how strong our top 10 for a start [is] and I’m in there – pretty amazing really.”

The Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll for September, released on Tuesday, had NZ First polling at 10%, winning the party 12 seats in Parliament and securing Randell a place in the House.

Tuesday night’s 1News-Verian poll also gave NZ First 10% and 12 seats.

Randell said his placing was a wee bit surreal and that he hadn’t planned on a career change at 51.

“But [it’s] now looking like I’ve got one.”

He was hopeful of a high placement going into his candidacy, based on his sporting career and commercial experience.

“I thought I could offer quite a lot to the party.”

Regardless of whether he won the Tukituki electorate or not, Randell intended to open an office in the electorate and focus on issues affecting Hawke’s Bay.

“I really want to concentrate on here – energy supply for our manufacturing hub, water security and flowing rivers.

“Irrespective of whether I’m in Wellington or not, my first motivation is getting those issues progressed here in Tukituki.”

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany and New Zealand.