National celebrates 70th anniversary

The National Party will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a black tie dinner at Parliament tonight.

The party was established formally at a conference in Wellington on May 13 and 14, 1936.

Party leader Don Brash will be joined at the dinner by four previous party leaders - Jim McLay, Jim Bolger, Jenny Shipley and Bill English.

Eight of the nine living party presidents will also be at the dinner.

Other guests include Dame Thea Muldoon, Australian Liberal Party president Chris McDiven and many current and former MPs.

Party president Judy Kirk said the anniversary would celebrate a milestone in National's history and was a "wonderful opportunity for a reunion".

- NZPA