Mark confirmed as No 9 on NZ First list

Ron Mark for NZ First.

As far as Wairarapa's NZ First candidate is concerned, he wants to sit at the negotiating table to be able to make a difference for the people of Wairarapa.

Ron Mark doesn't want a seat in the back benches.

NZ First released its party list for 2014 yesterday, confirming Mr Mark's ranking as number nine on a list of 25.

That means if NZ First gains 7.5 per cent of the party vote Mr Mark will be seated in Parliament as a List MP.

But that's not what he wants, he told media.

"That's all good but to be honest I want to be an MP for the Wairarapa. I want to be elected. The rest is just irrelevant. If I'm voted in that gives me the opportunity to make a difference at the table to fight for the Wairarapa," he said.

If people want change he's the man to get the job done, Mr Mark said.

"It's a clear choice. If they want me to represent them and to do the job as they know I will, then they need to vote for me. It's as simple as that, I'll make things happen for the Wairarapa."

In the 2011 national elections NZ First failed to gain elected seats in Parliament but came back from the wilderness with 6.59 per cent of the party vote, giving them eight List MP seats.

Mr Mark, who is the mayor of Carterton, announced his candidacy last week.

He was previously a NZ First List MP for 12 years.

He said he will resign as mayor if he becomes an MP.