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Nats on the prowl for new blood

Last weekend about 30 people attended a two-day "candidates college" at the party's Auckland headquarters. Next month, a second session will be held in Wellington for potential candidates in the lower North Island and South Island.

Party general manager Steven Joyce said National wanted to identify good candidates earlier and prepare them for the rigours of politics. "We're trying to improve every aspect of the organisation," he said. "We had a pretty hard time in 2002. We've got to be ready much earlier this time."

National slumped to its worst defeat ever in November 2002, forcing a big party rethink, including dumping then leader Bill English.

Joyce said senior party people had been talent scouting to identify new blood and the candidates college was also publicised around the party.

Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley lectured them on the role of MPs, and former Treaty Negotiations Minister Sir Doug Graham taught the party's history. Party leader Don Brash, who spoke at last Saturday's session, said the party's surge in the polls had boosted interest in people eager to become candidates.

Joyce said party membership had doubled in the past year and two extra staff had been taken on in its Wellington office to cope with the influx.

He said electorates would select candidates late this year. As part of the party's reformed policies, each electorate would put forward one candidate rather than one for the list and another for the electorate as it previously did.

"What it will mean is possibly it will be more competitive," he said.

One of the newcomers, Aucklander Andy Tookey, said he was shoulder-tapped the day before training began. He was keen to learn what the party had to offer but was undecided whether he would pursue National candidacy.

Tookey's organ donation petition prompted a government move this month to make significant changes to lift donor rates.