Green Party co-leaders Metiria Turei and Russel Norman and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters face a major task of keeping their new MPs in line during the next three years.
Mrs Turei and Dr Norman were the stand-out performers during the election campaign, never wavering from the party message and dealing quickly with a potentially messy issue over the damaging of National Party hoardings.
The Greens will take in six new MPs, possibly seven after special votes are counted. While Dr Norman has moved the Greens to a more mainstream position in the political landscape, some of the new MPs have been activists in their previous roles. Also, MP Catherine Delahunty has been outspoken about doing any sort of deals with National and will need strong direction from the party whips (musterers) when it comes to voting.
Steffan Browning was promoted up the list to 10 only after strong representation from party members who were unhappy about his lower rating. He is an outspoken critic of genetically-engineered crops.
Holly Walker, a former Otago University Students Association president, also becomes an MP but has spent time as a Green staff member and will realise what is ahead.
However, Mr Peters has a mixed caucus which includes former North Shore mayor Andrew Williams, who in March 2010 was seen drinking at a bar, allegedly urinating in front of the North Shore council chambers and then driving home. He maintained he was not over the alcohol limit to drive. He also made late-night phone calls which Prime Minister John Key called obnoxious.
Richard Prosser, a winemaker and Reiki massage master who has written a monthly column for Investigate magazine since 2002, also enters Parliament. Mr Prosser ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Waimakariri electorate, getting 538 votes.
Barbara Stewart, an MP for NZ First from 2002-08 and the party's co-vice-president, returns to Parliament.
Brendan Horan, best known for his role as a TVNZ weatherman between 2005 and 2007, becomes an MP. His website now lists him as an entertainer.
Denis O'Rourke was a Christchurch City councillor for 15 years from 1989-2004, chairing the sustainable transport and utilities committee. He ran unsuccessfully this election as a candidate for the Port Hills electorate, getting 636 votes.
Mr Peters is this time without his good friend and former "strongman" Doug Woolerton, who now runs a political advocacy business after being a NZ First MP for 12 years. Despite two meltdowns in previous NZ First caucuses, Mr Woolerton managed to keep the party together.
The New Zealand First leader could do a lot worse than employ Mr Woolerton as a parliamentary aide to help keep the new MPs in line.
