National has told MP Jami-Lee Ross it doesn't want his proxy vote.
"The National Party will not be casting Jami-Lee Ross's proxy vote," the party said in a statement.
"Mr Ross is no longer a National MP, having been expelled from the Caucus on 16 October and resigning his membership of the National Party on the same day."
Mr Ross offered the party his proxy vote while he's away. Mr Ross was sectioned to a mental health facility after a rollercoaster week in which he accused leader Simon Bridges of corruption, and then himself was accused of sexual harassment by several women.
"On medical advice I remain on leave, but have given National my proxy vote to ensure Botany continues to be represented in Parliament."
Becoming mentally disordered is one of the situations under which a party can seek to expel an MP from Parliament.
Mr Ross said giving his vote to National would "enhance the maintenance of the proportionality of political party representation in Parliament as determined by electors", appearing to be an attempt to stop the party from kicking him out under the waka-jumping law - which gives parties the power to remove MPs if they change how they vote, and distort the proportionality of Parliament.
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National says no decision has been made yet on whether it will seek to expel Mr Ross from Parliament under the controversial waka-jumping legislation, which it vociferously opposed.
It says the letter rejecting Mr Ross' proxy vote is unrelated to the legislation.
"What it does mean is that we, as a caucus, have expelled Jami-Lee Ross after his behaviour, and I think that is the right thing to do," National MP Judith Collins told The AM Show on Friday.
"It would be hypocritical to take his proxy vote… we would look cowardly."
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