New National leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis after their caucus meeting at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
New National leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis after their caucus meeting at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
National MP Todd Muller has praised Simon Bridges, saying he has shown immense "dignity and professionalism" in swinging in behind new party leader Christopher Luxon.
The Bay of Plenty MP and former National Party leader's comments come after Bridges withdrew from the party's leadership race yesterday.
The move paved theway for Christopher Luxon to be formally elected leader. Nicola Willis was elected deputy.
"I am withdrawing from the leadership contest and will be backing Chris. He will make a brilliant National leader and Prime Minister," Bridges said.
New National leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis after their caucus meeting at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Bridges, Tauranga MP and also a former National Party leader, confirmed his withdrawal on Twitter and said he'd met with Luxon yesterday morning and had a "great discussion".
It followed last-minute talks between Bridges and Luxon yesterday - understood to be the first time they had spoken since the contest began.
Luxon's promotion follows a tumultuous few years for National. Muller rolled Bridges for the job before standing down. Judith Collins was then elected but was forced out last week after summarily demoting Bridges.
Muller told the Bay of Plenty Times: "I think it's a great day for the National Party and a great day for the caucus, and given time it will be a great day for country as I think we have just elected the next Prime Minister of New Zealand and next Deputy Prime Minister.''
He said he was excited about the party's future because he believed the new leadership team would put forward a compelling vision to New Zealand over the next two years.
Muller paid tribute to Bridges for swinging in behind Luxon.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges. Photo / NZME
"Simon has shown immense dignity and professionalism and that certainly has to be acknowledged."
Muller was asked whether he would consider standing again at the next election now there had been a leadership change.
He said that was not something that he had thought about as his main focus was supporting Luxon and Willis.
It is not yet known what positions Bridges had secured, but it was likely he was offered the finance portfolio and the number three ranking.
Bridges still had a sizable chunk of supporters in caucus, and including him and some colleagues in the top slots would help with caucus unity - and lend Bridges' experience to Luxon.
Bridges waited until the last minute to fold to see if he could secure enough support – the vote was said to be fairly close on Monday morning, although Luxon was said to have the edge from an early stage.
Other MPs and senior figures in National had been urging the two to come to an agreement rather than take it a potentially divisive vote.
The leadership opened up after the caucus passed a motion of no confidence in Judith Collins last Thursday. That followed her attempt to demote Bridges over a comment he had made to fellow MP Jacqui Dean six years ago – for which he had already apologised.
Western Bay of Plenty councillor and National Party member Margaret Murray-Benge also paid tribute to Bridges and Luxon for negotiating between themselves in terms of the leadership role.
Murray-Benge said she was "really quite excited" that the leadership change did not need to go to a vote in the end as voting can be quite divisive.
"I'm very fond of Simon but I am really happy about the outcome. I'm sure Simon, as the number three finance spokesman, as I suspect he will be, they should be a formidable team ... I think the Labour Party team will be shaking in their boots right now."
Former National leader Judith Collins. Photo / NZME
National Party Central North Island board executive member and Bay of Plenty regional councillor Andrew von Dadelszen said: "I think Simon is very relaxed about the whole thing.
"If he's relaxed, I'm relaxed and I think about Chris Luxon will make a top leader. I hope Simon gets the number three finance role as holding this portfolio is quite a powerful position and he has all the credentials to do an excellent job."
Rotorua National MP Todd McClay said yesterday was a "very important" day for the National Party and New Zealand, and it was also good news for the Rotorua electorate.
"Chris Luxon has extensive experience running large businesses and he has signalled a clear direction for the National Party to start to deal with all the challenges and problems the Government has not dealt with."
McClay also said under Luxon's leadership the country would see a National Party "with a new lease of life" and a real focus on holding the Government to account including its handling of the new traffic light system.
As he and Willis stood on the podium during a press conference at the Beehive yesterday, Luxon said: "I bring a fresh set of eyes.
"Nicola and I are the fresh faces for a revitalised National Party."
He said a new era had started, and he was the leader of a new National Party.
"We are drawing a line under the events of the past few years."
Luxon referred to National's long-established rural power base, paying tribute to farmers.
He also thanked former leader Judith Collins for her leadership of the party in a "difficult time".
Luxon said Collins, Bridges and Muller all had "very important" roles to play in the future of the party.
"They have a unique set of skills we need to tap into ... we'll set the baggage aside."
Luxon also spoke about the Nats' catastrophic 2020 general election result.
"If you are one of the 413,000 voters who moved away from us, my message to you is: from today, National is back.
"New Zealand is at a critical crossroads as we grapple with, and emerge from, a global pandemic."
He then presented an aspirational message: "We have a choice: a choice between our current road to mediocrity, or a pathway to a more confident, aspirational and prosperous future."
