Federated Farmers past president, Don Nicolson, has been ranked fourth on the Act Party list.

And Mr Nicolson, a Southland sheep and beef farmer, says his high placing on the party list is an indication that Act is indeed a pro-farmers’ party.

Act says that National has been taking farmers’ support for granted for too long and that a party vote for Act would ensure farmers have stronger parliamentary representation. 

Speaking from Invercargill Mr Nicolson told Country 99 TV that, in his opinion, a farmer’s best move would be to split their votes.

“We’ve always said that the smart vote this year is to split your vote. By all means support your candidate of choice in your electorate, but give your party vote to Act.

And that will give you, effectively, a much stronger voice in Wellington actually."

He says Act is working on developing an agricultural manifesto which will recognize farming’s importance.

“Effectively the manifesto will be short and sweet. If I have my say in it it won’t be a long laborious manifesto. But no, there is a bit of work to do.”   

Meanwhile, political commentators are speculating as to the identity of the third placed candidate on the Act party list, who, as yet, has not been named.

Act will only say that Number 3 has the right credentials for the job and that they aren’t a current MP.

Act’s top five on the party list are as follows; Don Brash at one; John Boscawen, two;  Don Nicolson at four, and John Banks, who is standing in the Act stronghold of Epsom, at five.