'Melancholy' descends on Act gathering

Act Party faithful gathered in Auckland yesterday to pay homage to the party's early leaders at a low-key event one Act MP described as "melancholy".

Act founder and former Finance Minister in the fourth Labour Government, Sir Roger Douglas, and National Party former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson took the stage at the Ellerslie Convention and Events Centre along with retiring MP and former Act leader Richard Prebble.

Act MP Gerry Eckhoff said he found the lunchtime event "melancholy" because none of the three had been given enough credit for the contribution they had made to New Zealand.

"History will record them very well, I think," Mr Eckhoff said.

Ms Richardson said Act had to be in the next Parliament to lend credibility to a National-led Government while Sir Roger criticised Labour's education policy.

Mr Prebble said he believed Act could win the blue-ribbon Epsom seat, with support for Act's current leader, Rodney Hide, rising among Epsom voters, according to the party's polling.