Dr Reti was never a contender

Judith Collins’ spectacular selfimplosion opened the starting gates for the race to become the National Party leader – and deputy – last week.

National MPs were tight-lipped about who was in the running to mend the party after ridding themselves of Collins’ fever dream leadership on Thursday.

Many held aspirations for the party to focus on forming a strong Opposition to the Government during a time of unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic disruption. But as Simon Bridges and Christopher Luxon made formal pitches to their colleagues and looked to firm support for a leadership bid, it was clear deputy-turned-interim leader Dr Shane Reti was not a serious contender.

For some this may be surprising. Reti is a Harvard graduate and assistant professor who worked as a GP for

17 years. He has published award-winning studies, is hugely knowledgeable on the health system – a clear benefit during a pandemic – and is also a chartered accountant. He also brings a much-needed Mā ori voice to the party.

In person, he is kind and measured, if not slightly eccentric; a savant with a quiet dignity rare to politics.

He won the Whangā rei seat in 2014, but was only promoted to the front bench when he became shadow health minister in July last year, before Collins made him her deputy in November.

But his in-depth knowledge and understanding of his health portfolio means he at times struggles to reduce issues to bite-sized ideas for a pedestrian audience.

He spent weeks vaccinating people in Northland – his home region – against Covid-19 but he didn’t trumpet his efforts as loudly as other selfinterested politicians might. His experience would’ve given him a front-row seat to Government’s vaccination roll-out failings amongst the nation’s most overlooked communities.

But some in his party felt it wasn’t the best use of his talents; there are more than 5000 Covid-19 vaccinators, but only 33 National MPs – he should have been in Parliament.

Reti’s identity as Mā ori is another gain for a party which has had to defend its ethnicity credentials. His undeniable skills are likely to see him put to good use as National tries to rebuild.