Nicole McKee - the spokesperson for the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners and the voice of opposition to firearms law changes - could be a MP after the September election, having won a high place on the Act Party list.
The Act Party could have four MPs in Parliament, as long as leader David Seymour retains his seat. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher
Leader David Seymour and his former advisor Brooke van Velden are at number one and two respectively, McKee is at number three
ACTs consistent opposition to ongoing changes to firearms law is reflected in the choice of McKee, who heads the Council of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO) - a vocal opponent, arguing they are too restrictive and disadvantaging people who used firearms lawfully.
McKee said she enjoyed competing in multiple shooting disciplines and is a "keen meat hunter". She is a small business owner, "having delivered firearms safety education in rural and isolated communities for New Zealand Police"
In past elections ACT has won the Auckland seat of Epsom, with National Party candidates - the most recent Paul Goldsmith - only campaigning for the party vote.
If ACT wins Epsom again that secures its place in Parliament and its party vote dictates how many more MPs it might get.
The party has been trending upwards in the two major television opinion polls since the start of the year; registering 3.1 percent in the latest One News Colmar Brunton, and it would be hoping to secure at least one or two more MPs.
The placing of van Velden and McKee signal the party's prioritising a continued focus on voluntary euthanasia and firearms law. A referendum will be held at the election on the whether the End of Life Choice Act 2019, sponsored by Seymour, should come into effect.
In a COLFO newsletter, McKee said she would be quitting her position as its spokesperson, "to continue the fight for the licenced firearm owning community and to advocate for better public policies from within".
"I want to be on the spot to call out the kind of cynical disrespect for ordinary New Zealanders I've seen over the last 18 months."
The "other" David Seymour, the party's candidate in Whangarei is ranked number 19.
Also among the new candidates are advocates for the End of Life Choice legislation, a former police officer, two teachers, two lawyers, three farmers, four engineers, eleven business owners, and 13 licensed firearms owners.
The full Act Party list
1 - David Seymour
2 - Brooke Van Velden
3 - Nicole McKee
4 - Chris Baillie
5 - Simon Court
6 - James McDowall
7 - Karen Chhour
8 - Mark Cameron
9 - Stephen Berry
10 - Toni Severin
11 - Damien Smith
12 - Miles McConway
13 - Beth Houlbrooke
14 - Carmel Claridge
15 - Bruce Carley
16 - Cameron Luxton
17 - Grae O'Sullivan
18 - Myah Deedman
19 - David Seymour
20 - David King
Richard Evans
Robert Andrews
Stu Armstrong
Sean Beamish
Shawn Blanchfield
Kartini Clarke
Jan Daffern
James Davies
Tommy Fergusson
Sean Fitzpatrick
David Fox
David Freeman
Paul Gilbert
Paul Grace
Wayne Grattan
Roger Greenslade
Abby Johnson
Chris Johnston
Judith Kendall
Pete Kirkwood
Niko Kloeten
Tim Kronfeld
Mike McCormick
Brent Miles
Michael Nees
David Olsen
Grae O'Sullivan
Andy Parkins
Matthew Percival
Jack Phillips
Callum Steele-Macintosh
Basil Walker
Blake Webb
Roger Weldon
Bruce Whitehead
Neil Wilson
Ada Xiao
