National Leader Judith Collins has used lockdown to do a bit of spring cleaning with her Shadow Cabinet.
The retirement of Dr Nick Smith and the news from Todd Muller he won't seek reelection at the next time around means the party needed a minor reshuffle of some key roles.
Chris Bishop is relinquishing his Shadow Leader of the House role to focus solely on his role as National's spokesperson for COVID-19. Michael Woodhouse will replace Bishop and Simeon Brown will step into the Deputy Shadow Leader of the House role.
Taupo MP Louise Upston becomes the spokesperson for regional economic development, with Christopher Luxon picking up the land information portfolio.
Luxon, who is widely tipped to be a future leader of National, also picks up research, science and manufacturing, in addition to his local government and associate transport roles.
Hamilton East MP David Bennett takes on the transport portfolio, with the agriculture portfolio going to Barbara Kuriger.
Nicola Grigg and Simon O'Connor, who have been acting spokespeople in the trade and export growth and internal affairs portfolios respectively, have been appointed permanent spokespersons in those portfolios.
Harete Hipango becomes spokesperson for children/Oranga Tamariki, Whānau Ora, Māori development and Māori tourism.
"This week, I've met with members of caucus via Zoom to discuss with them how they can best contribute to the National Party team," says Collins.
"I'm confident this refreshed team will do an outstanding job of holding the Government to account and demonstrating our vision for a better New Zealand."
