Editorial: Bridges has time on his side

Simon Bridges, National MP for Tauranga. Photo / Supplied

Simon Bridges has proved yet again he is a serious contender in government.

The Tauranga MP's Cabinet promotion yesterday is the latest in a string of advancements that have taken him from rookie politician to the top ranks of Cabinet in just six years.

Prime Minister John Key revealed his new-look Cabinet line-up yesterday, taking Mr Bridges from No 18 to ninth-ranked minister and placing him on the front bench.

Mr Bridges picks up the Transport portfolio, is Deputy Leader of the House, and Associate Justice Minister. He retains the somewhat controversial Energy and Resources portfolio and is also Associate Climate Change Issues Minister.

He is among a number of ministers rewarded for their performance. Others include Paula Bennett, Jonathan Coleman and Amy Adams.

Since being first elected in 2008, Mr Bridges has steadily advanced through the National ranks, making it to minister outside Cabinet in April 2012, and then making Cabinet in January last year.

This rise to a senior post is meteoric. Clearly he has impressed the Prime Minister.

Mr Bridges has had a relatively smooth time as a minister and is on record as saying he has enjoyed promoting New Zealand's resources sector and the jobs this industry brings. He is also proud of implementing health and safety reforms after Pike River.

But it hasn't all been plain sailing. Greenpeace launched a campaign to have him fired, saying "he doesn't have a clue what he's doing" and he had a fiery on-air clash with TV3 broadcaster John Campbell.

Mr Bridges, re-elected in Tauranga with a whopping 14,842 majority, now faces fresh challenges but seems aware of the opportunities given him, telling this paper he is "very humbled" and realises he has to prove himself again to the Prime Minister.

Can he make it to the top? There are other serious contenders around Mr Key, but I think he can and, importantly, he has time on his side.

I wrote in April 2012 that National would be remiss in not looking at Mr Bridges hard in its succession plans.

I still hold this view.