National reshuffle: Simon Bridges gets foreign affairs role, but not a high ranking

National leader Todd Muller has given the man he ousted the foreign affairs portfolio in his caucus reshuffle, but not a high ranking in caucus.

He has also promoted Dr. Shane Reti to Paula Bennett’s number 13 spot, making him the highest ranked Māori MP in the National caucus.

Muller announced his second reshuffle this morning following the announced retirements of both Bennett and Anne Tolley over the last week.

Bennett’s retirement left Muller with no Māori MPs anywhere near his front bench, with the first in his caucus rankings being Reti at number 17.

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Bridges has picked up Reti’s ranking of 17.

Bridges was left unranked and without a portfolio in Muller’s first reshuffle. He had been offered the justice portfolio but declined, instead pushing for the prestigious foreign affairs role.

Muller’s campaign chair and former foreign affairs minister Gerry Brownlee previously held the role.

Deputy leader Nikki Kaye will take on the women’s portfolio from Bennett, while Amy Adams will pick up the wider drug reform portfolio.