[2] He joined the National Party in 1966, and has held a number of senior roles in its organisational wing.

[3] Tisch was selected to replace John Luxton as National's candidate in the electorate of Karapiro in the 1999 election.

[4] Tisch was never a minister but held senior parliamentary roles in the National Party and in the House of Representatives.

Under former leaders Bill English and Don Brash, Tisch was briefly National Party spokesperson for small business (2002–2005), civil defence and emergency services (2003–2004), and internal affairs (2003–2005).

In 2004, Tisch voted against the Civil Union Act 2004, a bill making it legal for those in same-sex as well as heterosexual relationships to enter into a civil-union.