Auckland businessman Peter Goodfellow is the new president of the National Party. The National Party’s board of directors elected him earlier this week. Mr Goodfellow is a longtime member of the National Party, and has been involved with the party for many decades since the 1970s.

Speaking on TVNZ's Q+A programme shortly after his election as president, the Mr Goodfellow said he wanted to use his long association with the party and his commercial skills to "ensure that we go into 2011 with a good headstart."

He replaces Judy Kirk, who he said, “has left a huge legacy and has achieved outstanding results for the Party.” He said he was honoured to have been elected and that he was looking forward to carrying on the great work undertaken by Mrs Kirk.

One of the primary roles of the party president is to support the Prime Minister to ensure that the board and the party are right behind him.

Asked if the party was facing a difficult times with funding, Mr Goodfellow said that was not the case but added that it was an expensive business to run elections. Part of his role, he said, was to ensure that the party was well funded for the next campaign for elections in 2011.

"I am looking forward to working with such a popular and inspirational Prime Minister as John Key, as well as my fellow board members who I would like to thank for their support,” he said.

"An important part of my job will be to get out in the regions to meet with our members and encourage their feedback and I am keen to begin that process as soon as possible."
National Party delegates also voted three new members on to the Board of Directors: Alastair Bell, Kate Hazlett and Pat Seymour.

Alastair Bell who was recently re-elected Northern Regional Chairman of the National
Party. Mr Bell, who is known to be hard working, soft spoken and a good listener has substantial following and support from within the National Party.

He shares a close connection with the growing ethnic population of New Zealand and is fully aware of the importance of the support of these groups. He was a senior political advisor to former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley. He is known to have his ear close to the ground and media reports suggest that he is the man to watch as a rising star of the party.
Indian Weekender wishes him luck and congratulates him on his elevation to the Party Board.