Adams puts plan to retire on hold

Senior National MP Amy Adams has ditched her retirement plans and is the big winner as Todd Muller outlined the new National caucus yesterday.

Adams, who said mid-last year she was stepping down at this election to spend more time with her family, has been given a key role on the party’s front bench.

She has been given the shadow portfolio of Covid-19 recovery — which is expected to be a centrepiece of National’s election campaign.

Former party leader Simon Bridges has confirmed he will stay on and stand in the 2020 election.

“Just to be clear after the reshuffle today, I am not considering my future. Just having a small amount of time out to take stock after the loss on Friday. I am candidate for Tauranga and intend to stand and help National obtain an historic win.”

Muller yesterday announced his shadow Cabinet — a list of which MPs were looking after which portfolios.

Muller said of Adams: “Amy is tough and tested and will play a key role in getting you, your family and your community through this.” Adams is a former minister and before announcing she was stepping down she was National’s finance spokeswoman.

Muller gives up the agriculture portfolio for small business and national security roles — a shadow portfolio traditionally held by the leader.

His deputy, Nikki Kaye, remains National’s education and sports spokeswoman.

Michael Woodhouse retains health, Mark Mitchell keeps justice and defence and Todd McClay keeps trade.

Perhaps the biggest change within National’s front bench is around Judith Collins. She picks up economic development, regional development and Pike River re-entry.

The Papakura MP, and former lawyer, has also been made the Shadow Attorney-General — she takes over from Tim Macindoe.

Muller supporter Nicola Willis wins big from the reshuffle. The list MP, who came into Parliament in 2017, has been given the housing and urban development shadow portfolio. She has gone from unranked to number 14 and in the shadow Cabinet — a significant jump.

Muller said Willis was talented and deserved her rise, while Kaye said she was “extraordinarily talented”.

Hutt South MP Chris Bishop keeps transport and picks up infrastructure — formally held by Paul Goldsmith.

Goldsmith will continue in his role as finance spokesman and has been given Earthquake Commission.

He has, however, been moved down the rankings.

Muller told reporters his focus was New Zealand’s economic recovery.

This was the toughest economic period in living memory for many and he said Labour was not right for the Covid-19 response.

“Our team will ensure that your economy, and your life, is at the heart of our decisions.” He said National would save jobs by leveraging the country’s “great strength”.

Muller said everyone in New Zealand has received a huge shock, as a result of Covid-19.

He said he had been reflecting with Adams for a number of weeks, as to National’s Covid plans.

It would be “too great a loss” to New Zealand if Adams retired from politics when she had so much to offer, he said.

Adams said her decision to stay was not to do with Simon Bridges’ leadership but she was watching as New Zealand faced many challenges and wanted to help.

“It’s my intention to be here as long as I can add value,” Adams said.