Shadow Cabinet of Simon Bridges

Shadow Cabinet of Simon Bridges
Shadow Cabinet of New Zealand
27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020
Date formed	27 February 2018
Date dissolved	22 May 2020
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Leader of the Opposition	Simon Bridges
Deputy Leader of the New Zealand National Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition	Paula Bennett
Member party	New Zealand National Party
Status in legislature	Official Opposition
History
Legislature term(s)	52nd New Zealand Parliament
Predecessor	Second Shadow Cabinet of Bill English
Successor	Shadow Cabinet of Todd Muller

The Shadow Cabinet of Simon Bridges was the official Opposition in the 52nd New Zealand Parliament between 11 March 2018 and 22 May 2020. It comprised all members of the New Zealand National Party, which was the largest party not a member of the Government.

Simon Bridges was elected Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition on 27 February 2020 and announced his first shadow cabinet two weeks later. ^[1] The portfolio allocations were amended six times during the term as a number of National members of Parliament either resigned or announced their intention not to contest the 2020 general election.

Following Bridges' defeat by Todd Muller in the May 2020 National Party leadership election and the formation of Muller's shadow Cabinet, ^[2] the Bridges shadow Cabinet ceased to exist.

Formation

Bridges followed his predecessor Bill English's lead by naming each of National's 56 members of Parliament to at least one spokesperson or associate spokesperson role. Like English, Bridges took no portfolios other than national security and intelligence, which is traditionally held by the Leader of the Opposition. His deputy, Paula Bennett, was given responsibility for social investment and social services; tertiary education, skills and employment; and women.

Commentators noticed that the initial portfolio allocations and caucus rankings rewarded Bridges' rivals for the leadership. ^[3] Former justice minister Amy Adams, who had placed second in the leadership election, was named finance spokesperson and was ranked third. Judith Collins, who finished third, was placed at fourth rank, and received the housing portfolio, which she had asked for. ^[3] Previous aspirants to the leadership, Jonathan Coleman and Mark Mitchell were also ranked highly, in sixth and seventh position respectively. Bridges' allies Todd McClay and Jami-Lee Ross were placed fifth and eighth respectively. Ross was the highest-ranked National MP who did not serve as a minister in the previous National-led government. The front bench was completed economic and regional development spokesperson Paul Goldsmith and education spokesperson Nikki Kaye. Melissa Lee and Sarah Dowie were the other two non-ministers to gain promotion to the top twenty.

Bridges had promised "generational change" on his ascension to the leadership. ^[4] The front bench line up in particular was praised for including a high proportion of women MPs. ^{[3] [5]} Bridges and Bennett were, notably, the first National leadership team both to be of Māori descent. ^[6] Bridges also placed several former ministers in lower positions than they had held in the English shadow Cabinet. Former senior minister Gerry Brownlee lost the foreign affairs portfolio to McClay, ^[3] while former finance minister Steven Joyce resigned from Parliament when he was not offered the finance portfolio. ^[7] Former conservation minister Maggie Barry (who had openly supported Amy Adams' leadership bid) and customs minister Nicky Wagner were also demoted. The twelve new MPs elected in the 2017 general election were listed last, alphabetically by surname. Whānau Ora spokesperson Jo Hayes was the lowest ranked returning MP.

Amendments

Portfolio allocations were amended six times throughout Bridges' tenure as leader to accommodate the departures or planned retirements of members. The first change was made two weeks after the formation of the shadow Cabinet, on 26 March, with the resignation of Jonathan Coleman. Coleman had been the spokesperson for health and sport and recreation, portfolios he had held ministerial warrants for in the previous government. Michael Woodhouse, a former hospital chief executive, gained health. Education spokesperson Nikki Kaye picked up sport and recreation. Woodhouse's portfolio of workplace relations and safety was added to the responsibilities of environment spokesperson Scott Simpson. ^[8]

In October 2018, a series of events that involved the leaking of Bridges' travel expenses saw transport and infrastructure spokesperson Jami-Lee Ross stand down from his portfolios while undertaking personal leave before resigning from the National Party. Judith Collins and Paul Goldsmith picked up Ross's portfolios. ^[9] The third resignation, in January 2019, was of former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson. ^{[10] [11]} His shadow Attorney-General portfolio went to Amy Adams and a new drug reform portfolio, responding to the Government's decision to hold a referendum on legalising the sale, use, possession and production of cannabis in 2020, was assigned to Paula Bennett.

In June 2019, finance spokesperson Amy Adams and Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott announced they would not seek re-election to Parliament at the 2020 general election. Along with the retirement of list MP and Māori development spokesperson Nuk Korako in mid-May, this triggered a broad reshuffle. ^[12] Paul Goldsmith was promoted to be the third-ranked MP, holding the finance portfolio. Goldsmith's economic and regional development portfolios were split between Todd McClay and Chris Bishop, who was promoted to the second bench and also gained the transport portfolio. Jo Hayes was promoted to be spokesperson for Māori development and Treaty of Waitangi negotiations, but retained a low ranking. Tim Macindoe became Shadow Attorney-General and Gerry Brownlee returned as foreign affairs spokesperson.

Agriculture spokesperson Nathan Guy announced his intention to retire at the next election in July 2019. He was replaced by Bridges' eventual successor to the leadership, Todd Muller, whose climate change portfolio was passed to Simpson. ^[13] The sixth and final reshuffle, in February 2020, featured minor redistributions of portfolios following announcements that Maggie Barry (on 5 November 2019), Nicky Wagner, Sarah Dowie and David Carter (all on 11 February 2020, although Carter had previously indicated his intentions on 17 October 2018 ^[14] ) would retire at the next election. ^[15]

List of spokespersons

Original membership

Rank		MP	Portfolio
	1	Hon Simon Bridges	Leader of the Opposition Spokesperson for National Security and Intelligence
	2	Hon Paula Bennett	Deputy Leader of the Opposition Spokesperson for Social Investment and Social Services Spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Spokesperson for Women
	3	Hon Amy Adams	Spokesperson for Finance
	4	Hon Judith Collins	Spokesperson for Housing and Urban Development Spokesperson for Planning (RMA Reform)
	5	Hon Todd McClay	Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade Spokesperson for Tourism
	6	Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman	Spokesperson for Health Spokesperson for Sport and Recreation
	7	Hon Mark Mitchell	Spokesperson for Justice Spokesperson for Defence Spokesperson for Disarmament
	8	Jami-Lee Ross	Spokesperson for Infrastructure Spokesperson for Transport
	9	Hon Paul Goldsmith	Spokesperson for Economic and Regional Development Spokesperson for Revenue Associate Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage
	10	Hon Nikki Kaye	Spokesperson for Education
	11	Hon Gerry Brownlee	Shadow Leader of the House Spokesperson for the GCSB Spokesperson for the NZSIS Spokesperson for the America's Cup
	12	Hon Nathan Guy	Spokesperson for Agriculture Spokesperson for Biosecurity Spokesperson for Food Safety
	13	Hon Michael Woodhouse	Deputy Shadow Leader of the House Spokesperson for Immigration Spokesperson for Workplace Relations and Safety
	14	Hon Louise Upston	Spokesperson for Social Development
	15	Hon Alfred Ngaro	Spokesperson for Children Spokesperson for the Community and Voluntary Sector Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples
	16	Hon Christopher Finlayson	Shadow Attorney-General Spokesperson for Crown-Māori Relations Spokesperson for Pike River Re-entry
	17	Hon Scott Simpson	Spokesperson for the Environment
	18	Hon Jacqui Dean	Spokesperson for Local Government Spokesperson for Small Business
	19	Melissa Lee	Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities
	20	Sarah Dowie	Spokesperson for Conservation
	21	Hon Anne Tolley	Deputy Speaker
	22	Rt Hon David Carter	Spokesperson for State Owned Enterprises
	23	Hon David Bennett	Spokesperson for Corrections Spokesperson for Land Information Associate Spokesperson for Infrastructure
	24	Jonathan Young	Spokesperson for Energy and Resources Spokesperson for Regional Development (North Island)
	25	Hon Maggie Barry	Spokesperson for Seniors Spokesperson for Veterans Associate Spokesperson for Health
	26	Hon Dr Nick Smith	Spokesperson for State Services (including Open Government) Spokesperson for Electoral Reform
	27	Barbara Kuriger	Senior Whip
	28	Matt Doocey	Spokesperson for Mental Health Junior Whip
	29	Simon O'Connor	Spokesperson for Customs Associate Spokesperson for Housing (Social) Associate Spokesperson for Social Development
	30	Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi	Spokesperson for Internal Affairs Associate Spokesperson for Justice
	31	Hon. Tim Macindoe	Spokesperson for ACC Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade
	32	Brett Hudson	Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson for Government Digital Services Associate Spokesperson for Transport
	33	Stuart Smith	Spokesperson for the Earthquake Commission Spokesperson for Civil Defence Spokesperson for Viticulture
	34	Todd Muller	Spokesperson for Climate Change
	35	Dr. Jian Yang	Spokesperson for Statistics Associate Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities
	36	Dr. Parmjeet Parmar	Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation Associate Spokesperson for Economic Development
	37	Nuk Korako	Spokesperson for Māori Development Spokesperson for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
	38	Chris Bishop	Spokesperson for Police Spokesperson for Youth
	39	Ian McKelvie	Spokesperson for Fisheries Spokesperson for Racing
	40	Hon. Nicky Wagner	Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage Spokesperson for Greater Christchurch Regeneration
	41	Andrew Bayly	Spokesperson for Building and Construction Associate Spokesperson for Finance
	42	Dr. Shane Reti	Spokesperson for Data and Cybersecurity Spokesperson for Disability Issues Associate Spokesperson for Health
	43	Alastair Scott	Spokesperson for Forestry Associate Spokesperson for Finance
	44	Jo Hayes	Spokesperson for Whānau Ora Spokesperson for Māori Education
	45	Simeon Brown	Associate Spokesperson for Education
	46	Andrew Falloon	Spokesperson for Regional Development (South Island)
	47	Harete Hipango	Spokesperson for Māori Tourism
	48	Matt King	Spokesperson for Rural Communities
	49	Denise Lee	Spokesperson for Local Government (Auckland)
	50	Chris Penk	Spokesperson for Courts
	51	Erica Stanford	Associate Spokesperson for the Environment
	52	Tim van de Molen	Third Whip
	53	Hamish Walker	Associate Spokesperson for Agriculture
	54	Lawrence Yule	Spokesperson for Horticulture
	55	Maureen Pugh	Associate Spokesperson for Children
	56	Nicola Willis	Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education

Final iteration

At the point of its disestablishment, the Bridges Shadow Cabinet consisted of the following spokespersons. ^[15]

Rank		MP	Portfolio
	1	Hon Simon Bridges	Leader of the Opposition Spokesperson for National Security and Intelligence
	2	Hon Paula Bennett	Deputy Leader of the Opposition Spokesperson for Social Investment and Social Services Spokesperson for Women Spokesperson for Drug Reform
	3	Hon Paul Goldsmith	Spokesperson for Finance Spokesperson for Infrastructure Spokesperson for State Owned Enterprises
	4	Hon Judith Collins	Spokesperson for Housing and Urban Development Spokesperson for Planning (RMA Reform)
	5	Hon Todd McClay	Spokesperson for Trade Spokesperson for Economic Development Spokesperson for Workplace Relations and Safety Spokesperson for Tourism Spokesperson for Small Business
	6	Hon Mark Mitchell	Spokesperson for Justice Spokesperson for Defence Spokesperson for Disarmament Spokesperson for Pike River Mine re-entry
	7	Hon Nikki Kaye	Spokesperson for Education Spokesperson for Sport and Recreation
	8	Hon Gerry Brownlee	Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Shadow Leader of the House Spokesperson for the GCSB Spokesperson for the NZSIS Spokesperson for Greater Christchurch Regeneration
	9	Hon Michael Woodhouse	Deputy Shadow Leader of the House Spokesperson for Health Associate Spokesperson for Finance
	10	Hon Louise Upston	Spokesperson for Social Development
	11	Hon Alfred Ngaro	Spokesperson for Children Spokesperson for the Community and Voluntary Sector Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Spokesperson for Disability Issues
	12	Hon Scott Simpson	Spokesperson for the Environment Spokesperson for Climate Change
	13	Hon Jacqui Dean	Spokesperson for Local Government Spokesperson for Conservation
	14	Melissa Lee	Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities
	15	Chris Bishop	Spokesperson for Regional Development Spokesperson for Transport
	16	Todd Muller	Spokesperson for Agriculture Spokesperson for Biosecurity Spokesperson for Food Safety Spokesperson for Forestry
	17	Hon Anne Tolley	Deputy Speaker Spokesperson for Veterans
	18	Hon David Bennett	Spokesperson for Corrections Spokesperson for Land Information Associate Spokesperson for Infrastructure
	19	Jonathan Young	Spokesperson for Energy and Resources Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage Spokesperson for Regional Development (North Island)
	20	Hon Dr Nick Smith	Spokesperson for State Services (including Open Government) Spokesperson for Electoral Law Reform Spokesperson for Crown-Māori relations
	21	Barbara Kuriger	Senior Whip
	22	Matt Doocey	Spokesperson for Mental Health Junior Whip
	23	Simon O'Connor	Spokesperson for Customs Associate Spokesperson for Housing (Social) Associate Spokesperson for Social Development
	24	Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi	Spokesperson for Internal Affairs Associate Spokesperson for Justice
	25	Hon Tim Macindoe	Shadow Attorney-General Spokesperson for Seniors Spokesperson for ACC
	26	Brett Hudson	Spokesperson for Police Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson for Government Digital Services Associate Spokesperson for Transport
	27	Stuart Smith	Spokesperson for Immigration Spokesperson for the Earthquake Commission Spokesperson for Civil Defence Spokesperson for Viticulture
	28	Dr Shane Reti	Spokesperson for Data and Cybersecurity Associate Spokesperson for Health Spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
	29	Dr Jian Yang	Spokesperson for Statistics Associate Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities
	30	Dr Parmjeet Parmar	Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation Associate Spokesperson for Economic Development
	31	Ian McKelvie	Spokesperson for Fisheries Spokesperson for Racing
	32	Andrew Bayly	Spokesperson for Building and Construction Spokesperson for Revenue Associate Spokesperson for Finance
	33	Jo Hayes	Spokesperson for Māori Development Spokesperson for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Spokesperson for Whānau Ora
	34	Simeon Brown	Associate Spokesperson for Education Associate Spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
	35	Andrew Falloon	Spokesperson for Regional Development (South Island)
	36	Harete Hipango	Spokesperson for Māori Tourism
	37	Matt King	Spokesperson for Rural Communities
	38	Denise Lee	Spokesperson for Local Government (Auckland)
	39	Chris Penk	Spokesperson for Courts
	40	Erica Stanford	Associate Spokesperson for the Environment
	41	Tim van de Molen	Third Whip
	42	Hamish Walker	Associate Spokesperson for Agriculture
	43	Lawrence Yule	Spokesperson for Horticulture
	44	Maureen Pugh	Spokesperson for West Coast Issues Associate Spokesperson for Children
	45	Nicola Willis	Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education Spokesperson for Youth
	46	Dan Bidois	Associate Spokesperson for Workplace Relations & Safety
	47	Agnes Loheni	Associate Spokesperson for Small Businesses Associate Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples
	48	Paulo Garcia	Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
	49	Hon Amy Adams
	50	Hon Nathan Guy
	51	Rt Hon David Carter
	52	Sarah Dowie
	53	Hon Nicky Wagner
	54	Hon Maggie Barry
	55	Alastair Scott

References

1. "New National leader Simon Bridges sets out first priorities". The New Zealand Herald . 27 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
2. New Zealand National Party (25 May 2020). "Todd Muller announces shape of next Government". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
3. Cooke, Henry (11 March 2018). "National Party reshuffle sees former ministers demoted, Judith Collins up". Stuff. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
4. "National leader vote: Bridges touts 'generational change'". RNZ. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
5. Trevett, Claire (8 March 2018). "Women expected to be front and centre of National party". ZB. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
6. Roy, Eleanor Ainge (27 February 2018). "New Zealand: National party elects Maori leader and deputy to take on Jacindamania". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 27 May 2020.
7. Smellie, Patrick (6 March 2018). "Joyce quits; deadline passes for NBR apology". Newsroom. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
8. Bennett, Lucy (26 March 2018). "Woodhouse named National's health spokesman following Coleman's departure". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 27 March 2018.
9. Watkins, Tracy (2 October 2018). "National MP Jami-Lee Ross taking leave for 'personal health issues'" . Retrieved 5 January 2019.
10. "Bennett named drug reform spokesperson in shadow cabinet reshuffle". Radio New Zealand. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
11. Coughlan, Thomas (22 January 2019). "Bridges begins year with a reshuffle". Newsroom . Retrieved 23 January 2019.
12. New Zealand National Party (25 June 2019). "National Party Caucus reshuffle announced". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
13. "National party reshuffle after Nathan Guy announces retirement from politics". Newshub. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
14. "Chris Finlayson and David Carter to leave Parliament by next election". Stuff.co.nz. 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
15. New Zealand National Party (11 February 2020). "Bridges Thanks Outgoing MPs, Announces Reshuffle". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.