He has proven himself an able member of the National Party Caucus.John KeyTauranga MP Simon Bridges has been promoted to a minister outside Cabinet, making him the youngest member of the parliamentary executive.
Mr Bridges, who became a father for the first time last month, will be the new Consumer Affairs Minister, Associate Minister of Transport and Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues.
"It's been a massive two or three weeks actually, becoming a father for the first time and a minister," he told the Bay of Plenty Times after his promotion was announced.
Mr Bridges got the call from Prime Minister John Key while at home in Mount Maunganui.
"He just told me that he wanted to promote me and told me a bit about each of the portfolios.