William Wood, 17, says his selection as National's Palmerston North candidate for 2020 shows its commitment to rank merit over everything else including age.



The National Party is pitting a Feilding teenager's youth and passion against a sitting Government minister in Palmerston North in 2020.

He can't even vote yet, but William Wood, 17, has become one of the youngest electoral candidates ever.

He got the nod at the National Party conference at Palmerston North Bridge Club on Sunday night.

If Wood strikes a chord with the Palmerston North electorate next year, and succeeds in unseating Iain Lees-Galloway, Wood will be the youngest Member of Parliament in New Zealand's history by nearly three years.

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DAVID UNWIN/STUFF Wood, 17, thanks the delegates for their support.

It would shatter a record that's stood since 1853, when James Stuart-Wortly was elected at the age of 20 years and 258 days.

"I'm excited and humbled," Wood told an energised crowd after the National delegates chose him after a single round of voting.

"We have just made history here tonight... We've never selected a candidate who isn't even of age yet."

Just how unexpected the teenager's decisive win was became clear when party officials awkwardly presented him with a bottle of wine to celebrate his victory.

Wood drew a hearty laugh from the crowd when he promised not to touch a drop until his 18th birthday in January.

He said his selection demonstrated National's commitment to meritocracy – that age, ethnicity or sexuality isn't as important as being able to do the job.

"Choosing me as the candidate sends a message that we're going to do something different.

"[It says] if you're passionate, hardworking and believe in our values you can succeed with [National] no matter what."

Despite his youth Wood has already racked up an impressive list of achievements.

In addition to his active work in his community, Wood served as a Youth MP this year.

In that role he helped form the Rangitīkei Youth Advisory Group and was selected as one of three youth policy developers, and sat on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee.

He is also one of New Zealand's top youth diplomats, the only youth delegate to be chosen two years in a row to represent the country at the Evatt Diplomacy Competition in Australia.

Wood defeated National's 2017 candidate Adrienne Pierce, newcomer Ava Neal, and sitting National MP Jo Hayes to secure the party's nomination.

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