National leader John Key last night told the Otago Daily Times he was sad to lose Mrs Rich, who had been an MP for nine years.
"We are concerned about having no representation in Dunedin and we will be looking to use the list to ensure that this is not the case. We would like to win a seat but we are realistic enough to know there is strong Labour support here. We will be using the list to ensure we have a National MP from Dunedin after the election."
Asked if he could use his influence to ensure there was a candidate selected high enough on the list to guarantee election to Parliament, Mr Key said he had some sway with the list-ranking committee.
However, the committee was made up of "sensible people" who realised National needed candidates selected on a geographic, gender and ethnic basis.
Mr Key is in Dunedin to attend the party's southern region conference, the first in a series of party conferences which ends in Auckland on May 24.
He described himself as being "pumped up" and excited about the feeling among party members and felt the mix of candidates, MPs and policies gave National a very good chance at winning the election.
"We realise there is a huge challenge and hard road ahead for us. Labour will not give in easily."
Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson announced yesterday he would not seek re-election this year.
Mr Clarkson, nicknamed "Bob the builder", defeated New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at the last election.
Mr Key said National wanted to retain Tauranga and would be campaigning hard to win the seat.
There would be no deal with Mr Peters to ensure New Zealand First could stay in Parliament and be a possible coalition partner, he said.
"Winston wouldn't want to do a deal anyway. We want to maximise the party vote and we are confident we can do that."
After the election, if National needed to approach smaller parties to help form a government, it would do so in good faith, but the party would not pre-judge the election result, Mr Key said.
Crown prosecutor Simon Bridges, chairman of National's Tauranga branch, announced he would seek the candidacy.
Today, Mr Key will address delegates mainly on economic issues and where he sees the election battle ground with Labour.
