Simon Bridges says reshuffle not a demotion to Judith Collins

National leader Simon Bridges says the party reshuffle is not a demotion for Judith Collins, even though she lost the infrastructure role and didn't even know about it when it was announced.

Collins kept her spot at number 4 as well as the housing and urban development and RMA reform roles, but did not know the details of the reshuffle until contacted by the Herald for a reaction.

She was on leave in Nelson today dealing with a local court case, and a spokeswoman for Bridges said they had been "playing phone tag".

Collins has polled higher than Bridges in the preferred Prime Minister stakes in recent political polls, leading to constant questions about Bridges leadership and Collins repeatedly saying that she always supports the leader, whoever it might be.

They both challenged for the leadership role when Bill English stood down at the start of last year, which Bridges won.

Collins said she did not see losing the infrastructure role as a demotion.

"I'm very busy with what I've got - very important work to do in RMA reform and housing and urban development."

Bridges said infrastructure was a natural part of the finance role - both picked up by Paul Goldsmith - and nothing should be read into stripping Collins of it.

Goldsmith and Chris Bishop were the biggest winners in the reshuffle, which Bridges announced today following the day's earlier announcement that Amy Adams and Alastair Scott would give up their shadow portfolios and retire from politics at the 2020 election.

Bridges said Goldsmith's promotion was a "natural choice".

"He has done an outstanding job holding the Government to account in the economic and regional development portfolio."

Goldsmith said he was up for the challenge of taking on Finance Minister Grant Robertson, saying he wasn't sure if Robertson was doing well in the core responsibility or spending money wisely.

He did not see much difference in his finance views compared to Adams' views, saying it was vital to grow the economy.

Bishop picked up Goldsmith's former roles in transport and regional development, and leapfrogged several colleagues for a spot in National's shadow Cabinet.

Bridges also praised Bishop's work.

"Chris has done a brilliant job as spokesperson for police and deserves to take on more responsibility."

The police role was picked up by Brett Hudson, while Alastair Scott's forestry role went to Todd Muller.

Todd McClay dropped affairs to former Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee but picked up economic development.

Tim Macindoe picked up Adams' role as shadow attorney general, while Stuart Smith picked up immigration from Michael Woodhouse, who kept health and picked up associate finance.

Jo Hayes has been given Māori development and Treaty of Waitangi negotiations following the departure of Nuk Korako.

Bridges thanked Adams and Scott for their service to the National Party.

He said the party had talented people and mentioned Air NZ boss Christopher Luxon, who has expressed an interest in joining National, to back up his point.

He said he was sad to be losing "a valued friend and colleague" in Amy Adams, but he understood her move to spend more time with her family.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson also praised Adams for her 12 years of public service, and acknowledged her brave move as Justice Minister to expunge historical convictions for homosexual acts.

Leaving:
• Amy Adams, Nuk Korako, Alastair Scott

Winners:
• Paul Goldsmith (#7 to #3) - Picks up finance and infrastructure, sheds economic and regional development, transport, associate arts, culture and heritage

• Chris Bishop (#35 to #16) - Picks up regional development and transport, sheds police and youth

• Gerry Brownlee (#9 to #8) - Picks up foreign affairs, keeps GCSB, NZSIS, shadow Leader of the House, sheds America's Cup

• Brett Hudson (#29 to #29) - Picks up police, keeps commerce and consumer affairs, government digital services, associate transport

• Stuart Smith (#30 to #30) Picks up immigration, keeps earthquake commission civil defence, viticulture

• Todd Muller (#31 to #31) - Picks up forestry, keeps climate change

• Jo Hayes (#41 to #38) - Picks up Maori development, Treaty of Waitangi negotiations, keeps whanau ora

Losers:
• Judith Collins (#4 to #4) - Loses infrastructure, keeps housing and urban development and RMA reform

Sideways:
• Todd McClay (#5 to #5) - Picks up trade, economic development, loses foreign affairs, keeps tourism

• Michael Woodhouse (#11 to #10) - Gets associate finance, keeps health, sheds immigration

• Tim Macindoe (28 to #28) - Picks up shadow Attorney-General, keeps ACC, sheds associate foreign affairs and trade