Bill English says his party will be the strongest opposition the country has seen - and has pointed out as leader he "earned significantly more votes than the new Prime Minister".
Talking to media shortly after Labour released its agreements with New Zealand First and the Greens, English repeatedly stressed National's position as easily the biggest party.
English was re-elected leader unopposed at a National caucus meeting today, and afterwards said he expected to and was committed to staying on in that role to the 2020 election.
"We are the strongest opposition that New Zealand Parliament has seen," English said.
"We have this unusual situation - an opposition party going into Parliament where I as a leader earned significantly more votes than the new Prime Minister. Where my party has more seats than the governing coalition. And where we have a programme that almost one in two New Zealanders backed with enthusiasm in the last election."