Nicky Wagner picks up Williamson's portfolios

National MP Nicky Wagner. File photo / NZ Herald

Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner is to become a minister outside Cabinet, taking on Maurice Williamson's Customs, Statistics, Associate Conservation, and Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery portfolios, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.

Nick Smith will take over Mr Williamson's Building and Construction portfolio, and Michael Woodhouse will take on Land Information.

Mr Key said Ms Wagner, an MP since 2005, had ``done a great job in Christchurch and in chairing the Local Government and Environment Select Committee".

"As a Minister I expect she will treat her new portfolios with the same hard work and enthusiasm."

Ms Wagner will be sworn in on Wednesday.

Mr Williamson resigned his portfolios on Thursday after the Herald revealed he phoned a senior police officer about the criminal charges faced by wealthy businessman and National Party donor Donghua Liu.

Mr Key this morning would not rule out Mr Williamson coming back into Cabinet at some time in the future

"It's always possible one day, ministers have come gone but truthfully, at the moment he needs to take stock of that issue so do we, we have no intentions to bring him back at this point."