MP keeps ‘huge’ role

Kaiko¯ ura’s MP has kept his spot on the National Party list despite dropping two portfolios in an internal shake-up.

Stuart Smith has lost the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and Civil Defence portfolios, but remains the party spokesperson for Immigration and Viticulture.

New National leader Todd Muller unveiled his shadow cabinet lineup on Monday.

Muller’s reshuffle, for the most part, keeps MPS in similar jobs to those they held under former leader Simon Bridges, with some minor ranking adjustment.

Smith stays at number 28 on the party list, and was happy to keep Immigration, describing the role as ‘‘huge’’.

He wasn’t fazed by losing the other two portfolios, he said.

The EQC portfolio had gone to Epsom MP Paul Goldsmith, who was also spokesperson for finance, and fifth on the list.

Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe, ranked 23rd, was given Civil Defence, along with ACC and seniors.

Smith said he spoke to Muller on Friday night and congratulated him.

Smith beat Colin King to the Kaiko¯ ura seat and entered Parliament in 2014, the same year that Muller made it into Parliament.