By HELEN TUNNAH deputy political editor
Bartercard NZ's chief executive Denis Orme has sprung a surprise bid for the Act party leadership, challenging four of the party's eight MPs who also want to take over from Richard Prebble.
Mr Orme, 58, confirmed last night he wanted to lead Act, saying he believes New Zealand has lost its way in the world.
But he will have to persuade Act's eight MPs not to vote for one of their own to replace Mr Prebble.
Although he can stand against the MPs in a poll of the party's members, it is the caucus that effectively will determine who will lead them afterwards.
Act's welfare spokeswoman Muriel Newman added her name to the list of contenders yesterday, joining Rodney Hide, Stephen Franks and deputy leader Ken Shirley.
Mr Orme spent 20 years working in the United States and Singapore on leadership and business strategy before returning to New Zealand.
He told the Herald he came back "to make a difference".
Last year he published a book called The Impassioned Leader, and said he was not daunted by taking on Act's caucus to try to win the party's leadership.
"I believe New Zealand has lost its way in the world. Act needs to have a vision for New Zealand.
"What we've got to do is unite the best ideas for the future of New Zealand. It doesn't matter where they come from."
Mr Orme said although National had done a few good things recently there had been too much blurring of Act and National policies.
Nominations for the leadership close tomorrow, and Mr Prebble said yesterday he would not be endorsing any candidate at any stage of the contest.
However, he has again hinted he may quit politics altogether once his successor is chosen.
If he does quit Parliament, no by-election would be needed because he is a list MP. Aucklander Kenneth Wang is the next person on Act's list, followed by Paul King of Christchurch.
Both men are likely to get into Parliament before the next election, with Act still trying to dislodge its ninth MP, Donna Awatere Huata, under the Electoral Integrity Act.
Mr Prebble indicated last week he would talk about his future role with any new leader, and he indicated in his weekly newsletter that there was a good chance he would step down before the election.
He told the Herald he did not want to stay on as an unhelpful former leader.
He said even if he did quit politics, he could still campaign for Act at the next election.
A new leader is expected to be selected early in June, after candidates speak to a round of party meetings, beginning in Auckland on Saturday.
DENIS ORME
Aged 58 and married with two children.
Lives in Devonport, Auckland.
Chief executive of Bartercard New Zealand.
Board member of the Employers and Manufacturers Association and NZ Institute of Management.
Author of two books, "The Impassioned Leader" and "Lessons from Leadership Failures: The Greenfields Approach".
President of the New Zealand chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, and a fellow of the Australasian Institute of Bankers and Financiers.
Bartercard chief bids to lead Act
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