Jamie Ensor: National may be playing happy – but here's why senior MPs' futures are at risk

PremiumAnalysisAnalysis byJamie EnsorChief Political Reporter·NZ Herald·21 Jun, 2026 05:00 PM9 mins to readJamie Ensor is the New Zealand Herald’s Chief Political Reporter in the Press Gallery, based at Parliament in Wellington.‌Chris Bishop is one National MP who may require the list to return to Parliament. Photo / Michael CraigTHE FACTSNational held its annual party conference over the weekend in Lower Hutt.It announced a series of KiwiSaver policies, including an automatic enrolment for children at birth.The party has seen its polling support slide since the 2023 election.The National Party has spent the past two days in somewhat of a political echo chamber, showering itself in praise for its economic accomplishments, gloating about the changes it’s made to the country, and ridiculing Labour, as if Kiwis weren’t currently preferring the red team.

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