Former National Party MP Paula Bennett has warned the new incoming deputy Prime Minister could face "quite different' challenges working with three coalition parties.
Bennett was sworn in as deputy Prime Minister on 12 December 2016 and served in the role in Bill English's government until they were ousted from Parliament in 2017.
Speaking on the Panel on Wednesday's AM show, Bennett said it was possible that the role would be different to her time working in it, because the newest appointee would have to work with three parties rather than one united caucus.
ACT Leader David Seymour has publicly made a play for the deputy PM role, saying there was a "case" for him to take it with his party having a larger share of seats than NZ First in the coalition.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has stayed tight-lipped on any desire to take the role.
"Different deputy Prime Ministers would run the role differently
"I did a lot of the kind of managing behind the scenes, if you know what I mean," Bennett said on AM.
"We were a big caucus so there's a lot of that decision making, and you're trying to clear the way for your prime minister. [It's easier] when you're in the same party, so I wonder if it would be quite different if you are a different party."
Bennett also revealed there was a "time to shine" in the role, which she seized on.
"Generally on Thursdays your prime minister is away around the country so you are then [off to do] Question Time, so you're a bit in charge of Parliament - it's your time to shine."
Watch the video above.
