Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson is set to be the primary winner out of National's reshuffle, gaining the front bench spot left open by Don Brash's resignation.
Mr Williamson, in his 19th year in Parliament, is a former minister and National's transport spokesman.
He fell out of favour whenhe criticised Bill English's leadership and was suspended from caucus, but was rehabilitated last year after extending a public olive branch to Mr English.
In recent months he is believed to have shifted his support from Dr Brash to Mr Key and is understood to have been one of the more vocal advocates for a leadership change behind closed doors.
Until now he was ranked 13th in the party line-up.
Ninth-ranked Katherine Rich - who lost the welfare portfolio after a clash with Dr Brash over welfare policy - is also in for a promotion.
She has been a prominent English supporter and a strong advocate of the party taking a more centrist position.
Mr English, the new deputy leader, will have pushed for her shift up the ranks. She will get the education portfolio he has relinquished.
Also tipped for promotion are Chris Finlayson, a lawyer, and Tim Groser, New Zealand's former Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation.
Mr Finlayson is expected to pick up Treaty negotiations from former deputy Gerry Brownlee and retain the Attorney-General portfolio.
Mr Groser is tipped to become the lead trade spokesman, freeing Murray McCully to focus on foreign affairs.
Several other first-term MPs are expected to receive promotions.
Unclear is whether Tau Henare or Georgina te Heuheu will be the primary Maori Affairs voice.
Although Mr Henare is considered stronger in the House, Mrs te Heuheu is considered a more effective grass-roots communicator and is probably better connected.
Mr Key confirmed yesterday that Peter Keenan, Dr Brash's adviser and speech-writer, whose emails played a prominent role in Nicky Hager's book The Hollow Men, would not keep his job. He will continue to be a consultant but Grant Johnston will be chief policy adviser for Mr Key full-time.
