Under the constitution of the party, they are required to be a member of the House of Representatives.

The current leader of the National Party since 30 November 2021 is Christopher Luxon.

[1] The leader becomes the National Party's candidate for prime minister in the run-up to an election,[2] and they invariably take office as prime minister when the National Party forms a government.

[3] Of the fifteen people to officially hold the leadership, nine have served as prime minister.

Key: National Labour PM: Prime Minister LO: Leader of the Opposition