Controversial MP Andrew Williams' career appears to be over after his name was left off NZ First's list.

The day before the Electoral Commission publishes the party lists, Williams was the notable absence while Asenati Lole-Taylor has been demoted to 16, potentially ending her career.

Williams has not been able to be reached in recent days, but blamed internal politics for his demotion earlier this month.

Expected to be the candidate for East Coast Bays, Williams was demoted to 13th on a draft list leaked earlier this month. 

Last week he complained about the list selection process last week, saying the ranking had came as "a bolt out of the blue".

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Party leader Winston Peters said yesterday he was "very concerned" about Williams' comments, claiming they breached a confidentiality agreement that all engaged in the process had been required to sign.

It is understood Williams was removed from the selection process from NZ First because of the comments, with the party believing it made him ineligible to be an MP.

Today Peters declined to comment on Williams' absence from the list.

He said he did not know whether Williams was still a member of the party. Asked if Williams' career as an MP was over Peters said: "You can draw your own conclusions".

Williams has had a colourful political past.

In 2010 then Local Government minister Rodney Hide called for Williams' "immediate resignation" as North Shore mayor after revelations Williams urinated outside his council building after drinking at a nearby bar, then drove himself home.

In 2009 Prime Minister John Key revealed Williams had on several occasions sent him "aggressive" and "obnoxious" texts as late as 3.30am.

Peters declined to comment on the demotion of Lole-Taylor, saying he believed that at 16 she was still in an electable position.

Ron Mark, the mayor of Carterton, is number nine, one below former MP Pita Paraone.

"We believe the list is a balance of experience, youth, skill and ability," president Anne Martin said in a short statement.

"These candidates, many of whom will be in Parliament after the election, will seriously contribute to New Zealand First's success in 2014 and will importantly prepare the Party for the 2017 election as well."

Peters takes the top spot on the list ahead of deputy leader Tracey Martin and Richard Prosser, who hit headlines for his controversial "wogistan comments".

Fletcher Tabuteau, who stood for the party in Rotorua in 2011 is ranked four, with Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell ranked six.

Peters said Tabuteau's high list placing was a result of hard work in previous election campaigns."He's worked hard, and this is the result," Peters said.

- Stuff