Kirk to stand down as National president - report

National Party president Judy Kirk is understood to be standing down this year, after seven years in the post.

She took on the presidency after National's humiliation in the 2002 election.

Prime Minister John Key wouldn't confirm her departure, but he didn't deny it either.

"She hasn't officially announced she's standing down yet," he told TV One's Breakfast today.

Ms Kirk has been delaying a public announcement until she tells party members at mid-year regional conferences, the Sunday Star-Times reported. This would allow a few months for contenders to lobby before a successor is announced at its annual conference in August.

"The only point I'd make is if there was a replacement, don't forget, the person has to be a member of the board because we changed the rules," Mr Key said.

`So the person would have to become a board member and then be selected by the board."

He said it was "early days" and he would not speculate on who Ms Kirk's replacement might be.

- NZPA