Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash has officially joined New Zealand First and will contest the Napier electorate seat in the 2026 general election.
The announcement marks a dramatic political shift for Nash, who held Napier for Labour across three terms from 2014 to 2023 before being sacked from Cabinet by Chris Hipkins over a breach of the Cabinet manual.
Nash was dismissed in March 2023 after sending an email to political donors in 2020 that contained confidential Cabinet discussions about a commercial relief package. The breach prompted then-Opposition leader Christopher Luxon to compare it to insider trading, saying Nash could not be trusted in caucus.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters dismissed Luxon's criticism, telling RNZ that the Prime Minister will likely regret those comments. "Sometimes people make comments they wish they hadn't made, and I suspect Mr Luxon is going to wish he hadn't made that comment," Peters said.
Peters praised Nash's ministerial experience, describing him as "exceptional" and noting his business understanding. "I worked with him on a number of projects, and I said at the time, you're in the wrong party," Peters said. He indicated Nash would "obviously" be a minister if New Zealand First was in government after the election.
Nash's political comeback follows another controversy in September when he made crude comments about women during a media interview, describing women using explicit anatomical terms. The remarks led to his resignation from recruitment agency Robert Walters and cost him a place on a government trade delegation to the United States.
Trade Minister Todd McClay confirmed Nash was dropped from the US trip because his attendance would be "unfair" to other delegates, "especially women", who might face questions from potential investors about his comments.
Peters called the comments a "dumb mistake" but said Nash had apologised and taken responsibility. "We're not into cancel culture here at New Zealand First," Peters said, adding that Nash had been "pulled into line by his wife".
In his announcement, Nash acknowledged the controversy, stating: "I would be naive to think all New Zealanders will forgive me." He said he deeply regrets the remarks and intends to prove his respect for everyone through hard work.
Nash will run both in the electorate and on New Zealand First's party list, giving him two pathways back to Parliament. The Napier seat is currently held by National's Katie Nimon.
Political analysts note Nash's candidacy could complicate the local political landscape, potentially splitting centre-right votes given New Zealand First's coalition with National. Nash historically outperformed Labour's party vote in the region during his previous terms.
Nash declined requests for interviews about his political return. The general election is scheduled for November 7, 2026.