Butterflies calmed as city's MP officially promoted

Simon Bridges with Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Prime Minister John Key.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges' swearing in as a cabinet minister went off "without a hitch" despite some nerves.

"It was great. It was a very formal and traditional affair and a great reminder when you're speaking old English odes of allegiance that Governments are places of serious business and they should be treated in that light," he said.

Mr Bridges was one of the 27 ministers sworn in at Government House yesterday.

He is the new Minister of Transport, Deputy Leader of the House and Associate Minister of Justice and also retains his Minister of Energy and Resources and Associate Minister of Climate Change Issues portfolios.

Mr Bridges told the Bay of Plenty Times he felt a "bit of performance anxiety" during the formal part of the ceremony, particularly because 25 media organisations were there.

"I didn't want to be the only guy who would trip going up on stage or read my oath of allegiance incorrectly but fortunately I got through it all without a hitch," he said.

The formal ceremony was followed by champagne, cups of tea and cucumber sandwiches.

But Mr Bridges said he did not partake in any of the festivities because of his workload, which included a series of ministerial briefings to discuss his new portfolios.

With his promotion to the front benches, Mr Bridges also shifts from the 4th to the 5th floor and come Monday he will be housed in a bigger office.

"But a slightly bigger office comes with more work and more responsibilities which I haven't lost sight of," he said.