Simon Bridges ready to get stuck in as National's new leader

Simon Bridges says he is "ready to get stuck in" as National's new leader as the party enters a new era of politics.

The Tauranga MP was the man of the hour yesterdaywhen he was elected leader of the National party following former frontman Bill English's resignation on February 13.

Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times ahead of the all-important caucus meeting, Bridges seemed relaxed and said he was ready to accept the leadership challenge.

But his calm demeanour shifted as the new leader had to hit the ground running following the announcement, entering an afternoon grilling with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Posting to his Facebook page following his first day as leader of Opposition, Bridges said: "Thanks for all the messages of support - I'm incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead and ready to get stuck in."

Bridges entered politics in 2008 after being selected as the party's candidate for the Tauranga electorate. Almost 10 years later, his leadership of the party was decided after two rounds of voting by the party's 56-strong caucus on Tuesday.

The Tauranga MP said he would work to "modernise" the National Party for 2020 but has ruled out a widescale reform of its policies, saying it had a strong track record on the economy.

For Tauranga, Bridges has promised he will do what he can.

"It is where I live, it is where I am passionate about," he told the Bay of Plenty Times on the phone from Wellington. "It is important I stay grounded in my own community."

Bridges said being named as the new leader of the Opposition was a "win-win" for Tauranga and would give the city a "very significant" voice in parliament.

The new leader said Tauranga was experiencing strong growth and needed to continue to have a focus on housing, transport and infrastructure - areas where he thought the government had taken its "eye off the ball".

He said he would be "firm but fair" in Opposition. "Personally I want to be an inclusive leader who listens and provides a positive view for the city," Bridges said.

Paula Bennett was re-elected as deputy. Bridges said he would do a reshuffle in the next fortnight – and would not be drawn on who his finance spokesperson would be.

He was not concerned caucus would be divided after the five-way leadership election, saying the way the leadership contest was run had been respectful and friendly.

"I'm very confident from the messages I've already received in caucus that we are going to get in behind myself and we are going to be working hard to hold this Government to account and also win in 2020."

At the age of 41, Simon Bridges pitched himself as the leader for generational change.

While he was the youngest of all five contenders (Judith Collins is 59, Amy Adams 46, Steven Joyce 54, and Mark Mitchell 49) he is not the youngest person to have taken the leadership of the party.

Bill English was aged 39 when he ousted Jenny Shipley in 2001 in his first stint in the leadership, and Jim McLay was 38 when he ousted Rob Muldoon in 1984. The oldest was Don Brash who was 63 when he became leader in 2003.

Bridges is the third lawyer to become a National leader.

Of National's 12 leaders, only five won elections: Sidney Holland, Keith Holyoake, Rob Muldoon, Jim Bolger and John Key.

Additional reporting NZME