Smith takes political fall on the chin

Nelson MP Dr Nick Smith might have dropped eight places to No. 26 in the latest National Party reshuffle but he has no intention of leaving Parliament early.

‘‘Absolutely not,’’ Smith said when asked if he might leave before the end of the term. ‘‘I’m old fashioned – you don’t put your name on the ballot paper unless you’re committed to serving.’’

A decision on whether he would put himself forward as a candidate again would be made in the latter part of 2019, about a year before the next election ‘‘as I have in every cycle’’.

The National Party was going through a phase of rejuvenation.

‘‘I’ve had a good discussion with the leader [Simon Bridges] and I’ve been given exactly what I asked for,’’ Smith said. ‘‘I’m totally committed to supporting him and the new lineup.’’

Smith lost his forestry and aquaculture roles on Sunday in Bridges’ first caucus reshuffle as National Party leader. However, the long-time constituent MP picked up the state services and electoral reform portfolios. The latter lines up Smith for a battle with the Government over the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill, known as the wakajumping bill.

Designed to stop MPs switching parties, the bill has passed its first reading and is now before the select committee. It is open for submissions until Monday.

‘‘I feel very strongly about the changes the Government is wanting to make,’’ Smith said. ‘‘That will turn MPs into party poodles and contradicts the Bill of Rights and fundamentals on which our parliamentary democracy [is based].’’

Smith said in his role as state services spokesman, he would focus on the ‘‘disconnect’’ between some government agencies, which could work in silos ‘‘not necessarily getting the right services for people’’.

Smith said he had also been given the role of policy co-ordinator for the caucus and the party.

‘‘I consider myself a policy workhorse,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s both that work and the work as a constituent MP that motivates me.’’