National leader Christopher Luxon says Trevor Mallard's resignation is a "good move for Parlament" but is criticising his new role.
On Monday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed her reshuffled Cabinet which included several changes and two resignations.
The main announcements were that Kris Faafoi and Trevor Mallard are leaving politics, while Poto Williams is being replaced as Police Minister.
The shuffle came after consistent criticism of Mallard's response to the Parliament protests earlier in the year and Williams' performance as Police Minister. It's understood Mallard is taking up a diplomatic role in Europe.
The move is being welcomed by National's leader, and one of Mallard's biggest critics, Christopher Luxon.
"I think [Mallard's resignation] is a good move frankly. I think it's a good move for Parliament, it's time that we move on and I think Adrian will be a good Speaker and he will have our full support," Luxon told AM's Melissa Chan-Green on Wednesday.
Te Tai Hauāuru MP, and Deputy Speaker, Adrian Rurawhe has been nominated to replace Mallard.
Rurawhe will take over in August when Mallard moves into his new role.
While Luxon was in support of Mallard's decision to step down, he wasn't as thrilled by his new job.
"I wouldn't have thought diplomacy was one of Trevor's strong suits but again that's a decision for the Prime Minister, it's one for her to make," he said. "It doesn't seem logical to me, using his strengths or skills in that way."
Ardern's reshuffle has been slammed by ACT Party leader David Seymour who said it showed Labour has a "lack of talent and good policy".
"The Prime Minister's major reshuffle of Cabinet has shuffled the deck chairs but the underlying problem is a lack of talent and good policy," Seymour said on Monday.
"ACT welcomes the departure of Poto Williams as Police Minister, but the choice of Chris Hipkins shows the lack of talent within Labour's caucus. This is the second time Hipkins has been wheeled out to save a flailing minister, first David Clark, now Poto Williams.
"They have no reserve bench, just Chris Hipkins the super sub."
Luxon also criticised the reshuffle on Monday, saying it showed the Government's "focus on law and order has been lost".
"Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's replacement of Poto Williams as Police Minister is an acknowledgement of a lack of leadership at a time when violent crime and gang activity are on the increase. Indeed, the Prime Minister this afternoon admitted that her Government's focus on law and order had been lost.
"While it seems that the Prime Minister has been pressed into making the changes due to pressure from the media and Opposition, a change in minister will not be enough on its own.
"What Police need is leadership from the Government and powers to confront New Zealand's growing problem with violent crime."
