The candidate for Clutha-Southland needs the party to poll just 5.2% on September 23 to become an MP. NZ First polled 10% in the last Colmar Brunton Poll released on August 17.
Mr Patterson seems assured of joining National Party candidate Hamish Walker as one of two new MPs from Clutha-Southland.
Mr Patterson (47) strongly opposed the Silver Fern Farms merger with Shanghai Maling and was part of the Meat Industry Excellence group which tried to stop the deal.
Mr Patterson said yesterday his opposition to the merger sparked his first contact with NZ First leader Winston Peters. Like Mr Peters, Mr Patterson was also opposed the sale of farmland to foreign buyers.
His interest in politics evolved from the Meat Industry Excellence group.
"I really enjoy my farming so there is no disillusion about that. Sometimes you just have to put your money where your mouth is."
Mr Patterson is one place higher than former Labour MP Shane Jones, who needs NZ First to poll 6% to return to Parliament.
"I am hugely humbled by my place. It is an honour and privilege because we have a really strong line-up.
"I believe this is a statement we care strongly about our rural communities and the future of primary industries — something I am passionate about."
Mr Patterson was campaigning in Gore yesterday and said his campaign would not change because of his high listing.
It was still "full steam ahead" to maximise the party vote and get as many NZ First MPs into Parliament as possible.
"We’ve always been about the party vote proposition and there is no difference for me."
Asked if he was also asking for the electorate vote, Mr Patterson said Clutha-Southland was strongly blue and he would concentrate on the party vote.
The fourth-generation farmer is married with two daughters.
On 10%, NZ First is likely to have 13 MPs in Parliament, ending with Denis O’Rourke, who has slipped six places.
Another MP to slip down the list is Richard Prosser, who got himself into bother with leader Winston Peters last week after telling an audience to sell their Contact shares.
Apart from Mr Patterson, broadcaster Jenny Marcroft is likely to enter Parliament as a new MP if NZ First polls 7%.
Rita Bond, a current list MP from Invercargill, needs 9.2% to remain an MP.
Waitaki candidate Alex Familton is ranked 40th and Dunedin North candidate Warren Voight is 46th.
