Christopher Luxon is confident Simon Bridges' Tauranga seat will stay blue after his shock resignation.
Bridges, the former National Party leader and current finance spokesperson, announced his retirement from politics on Tuesday morning, a move he says he has been mulling over for some time now but which has come as a shock to others.
National's been gaining momentum in recent weeks as it prosecutes the Government over increasing cost-of-living. Last week, for the first time since January 2020, the party was more popular in a major political poll than Labour.
Bridges' resignation also triggered a by-election in Tauranga. The outgoing National MP won the Tauranga electorate in 2008 by more than 10,000 votes, defeating New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.
Speaking with AM on Wednesday, Luxon said he's confident National will retain the seat.
"I think we are going to have a great candidate emerge for Tauranga. It's a great seat, we've already over summer been reached out to by lots of people who are interested in exploring candidacy in the National Party which is fantastic.
"I think we will have a great candidate. We've worked really hard and I think we are going to win it."
Luxon said he will announce the Party's candidate in the next few weeks.
He wouldn't be drawn on who his new finance spokesperson would be, saying he will make an announcement later on Wednesday morning.
The National leader also paid tribute to his "good friend" and colleague saying he will be missed.
"Simon is one of my good friends, we've known each other before I even came to politics and so he is going to be a big loss and we are going to miss him tremendously.
"But I understand his reasons for going, he's done 14 years in this place which is pretty full on, he's a young guy, he's still 45, he wants to have another career in the commercial world and for what it's worth, I think he is going to be absolutely outstanding at it.
"He's a big loss for us but I fully understand and wish him well… He's a top guy, a really talented guy, he's going to do really well."
Other politicians also farewelled Bridges on Tuesday with Grant Robertson acknowledging his contribution in the House
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was also asked for her reflections on Bridges.
The pair both entered Parliament in 2008 as young MPs and were quickly spotlighted as future leaders. Ardern became Labour leader and eventually Prime Minister in 2017, while Bridges would become her main opponent as Leader of the Opposition in 2018.
"I have known Simon Bridges for a number of years," Ardern said.
"Over the course of that time, I have seen the fact that not only has he taken those leadership roles, but he has had a family, a young family, a growing family.
"My only message would be to wish him well. It will be a huge change of environment and pace and one I am sure his family will be happy that he has made so they see more of him. After all, all politicians are still human and mums and dads often too."
ACT's David Seymour said Bridges was one of a number of National Party leaders he has worked well with.
"I think he has been highly committed to the cause of better policy in New Zealand. For that, I admire him. I have always enjoyed his company. I wish him all the best. He has given a lot to Parliament. He has given a lot to his party. I think he deserves success and maybe a little more serenity in whatever he does next."
