Christopher Luxon believes Trevor Mallard's appointment to a diplomatic role is a strange one.
Mallard will leave the House on Wednesday afternoon after officially resigning as Speaker on Tuesday, having completed five years in the role and 35 years as an MP.
National Party leader Luxon said politicians becoming diplomats can work in some cases - but he doesn't think this one will.
"I wouldn't have thought diplomacy was his strong suit… But we'll have to see how he goes. All I'd say is good luck to the Irish.
"To be honest, there are some capitals around the world where actually being a former politician of some standing, with good mana and high status is actually really important to get access into those capitals.
"I think there are a lot of politicians that would be really good in those roles but, in this case, I wouldn't have thought that Trevor had the natural inclinations around diplomacy and tact," Luxon told AM host Ryan Bridge.
But Luxon voiced his support for Labour's Adrian Rurawhe to be the next Speaker of the House.
Rurawhe was set to be voted in on Tuesday afternoon, with Luxon saying he has his vote and believed he'd be a great fit for the role.
"We're very supportive of Adrian in the role as Speaker, I've been very impressed with him - I've observed him over my short time in Parliament. [He] strikes me as a person who carries himself with personal humility but has [a] massive professional determination to make sure Parliament works well, and I think that'd be very good for this place."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern first announced Mallard's intention to retire when she reshuffled her Cabinet earlier this year and was officially announced as the next Irisih Ambassador on Tuesday.
"As New Zealand's second resident Ambassador to Ireland since the opening of our Embassy in Dublin in 2018, I am delighted that the strong relationship between our countries will continue to be in excellent hands with the appointment of Mr Mallard," Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.
Mallard has come under fire from Opposition political parties while in the role of Speaker. He faced criticism during the anti-mandate protests at Parliament earlier this year for turning sprinklers on and playing loud music and Unite Against COVID-19 ads to try and deter the protesters.
He also faced scrutiny for comments he made about a Parliamentary staffer.
"It's sort of fair to say the National Party hasn't had the best relationship with Trevor, in his time as Speaker," Luxon said on Wednesday, pointing to the notice of no confidence National lodged against Mallard earlier this year.
"I think his record's going to be quite mixed, to be honest. He's certainly made the place a lot more family-friendly which is good but, on the other hand… we seem to have lost some of the life in the debating chamber.
"A bit more free-flow debate would be actually very good for Parliament."
