Sylvia Wood has been elected the new President of the National Party at its annual conference in Christchurch on Sunday.
Wood has been on the board since 2021 and will serve as National's 18th President after former President Peter Goodfellow retired.
Wood owns and runs a human resources consultancy and has more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
She said it was "an honour" to be elected.
"I look forward to working with the board and wider team to deliver our 2023 election campaign and elect the next National Government," Wood said.
"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Peter Goodfellow for his 13 years of tireless service to the National Party as President.
"The strength of the National Party relies on the hard work of our members and volunteers and I cannot thank them enough for their strong showing at this year's annual conference, the work they do every day for this party, and the passion they will bring to our 2023 campaign.
"Under the leadership of Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis, National is in a strong position heading into 2023 and our entire team is laser-focused on winning the election, so a National Government can deliver the outcomes Kiwis want and need and take New Zealand forward."
Goodfellow announced his retirement in June, saying it was an honour to serve the Party.
"I've seen highs and lows and after much reflection, I feel the time is now right for someone else to take National into the future as president," he said in a statement at the time.
"Some may remember that I intended to retire in 2016 but with the resignation of Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir John Key, I was convinced to remain in the role to help ensure a stable transition of leadership to Rt Hon Sir Bill English and to deliver our 2017 general election campaign.
"Since 2018 I've worked tirelessly to help improve and diversify the skillset around our board table. To revitalise and reform the party and its systems and to unite our great Party after a very public period of instability and distraction.
"During my time, I've always had the best interests of the party at heart."
Goodfellow said the party is going from strength to strength and now is the right time to step back.
"We have real momentum under the leadership of Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis. I'm confident we have the right people, processes and plans in place to move the National Party forward, and I have every confidence National will win the 2023 general election.
"As a proud member of the National Party for over 50 years and its longest-serving president, I will be forever grateful to our members for their ongoing support of me as a board member, and to our directors for their confidence in continuing to re-elect me as president. I look forward to continuing to support the new president, board of directors, parliamentary leaders and campaign team in my final term as a director."
