Judith Collins, Leader of the National Party, on the party’s new plans

Today it has returned to the activity of the National Party with its leader Judith Collins armed with her new superior team.

Collins spoke with Mike Hosking of Newstalk ZB this morning, the day after he unveiled his reorganization of the party’s 33-member Parliament caucus.

Representative Andrew Bayly moved up 14 spots to No. 3 and was assigned the role of shadow treasurer.

Collins also promoted Michael Woodhouse to be his finance spokesman after Simon Bridges turned down the position, pushing him from # 4 to # 7, due to Collins’ plan to split the usual finance portfolio into two roles.

The dual roles are similar to the arrangement in Australia and Collins said he would work closely with Woodhouse.

When asked if he thought that type of model was the future, Collins said this morning: “I think it is.”

He said Bayly would take care of transportation, technology, economic development, ACC, and infrastructure.

Woodhouse will oversee areas including labor relations, water and energy.

He said the decision to split the role was partly due to the fact that it was a large area.

“I think we are going through very difficult economic times in this country.”

She said she also wanted Bayly and Woodhouse to have their own respective teams.

“They [will] actually lead a team of other parliamentarians who are reporting and working with them too.

“It is also, instead of having a large team of 11 or 12 people to take care of, each one takes care of five or six.”

He said he believed in the couple and the work they could do for the party.

Time to ‘get on with work’

He acknowledged that he had great faith in Bayly, who said he had tremendous skill in the areas of income tax, monetary policy, KiwiSaver and NZ Superfund, due to his investment banking experience.

Woodhouse was good in that role as he has political ability in the financial area, he said.

He said he just wants to “go ahead and get the job done.”

Bayly, a CPA and loyalist to Collins, will also assume the infrastructure and statistics portfolios.

On the technology, he said: “I guess my son, who is in software development, alerted me to it.

“It’s something that has fascinated and surprised me by what we are already doing in New Zealand; in terms of manufacturing around technology, social intelligence, robotics …”

There is a “huge” opportunity in that sector … “It is a great industry and we could do much better.”

Paul Goldsmith had the finance portfolio, but is believed to have lost it after the $ 4 billion “fiscal hole” mistake in National’s plan during the election campaign.

He has been educated and has lowered the ranking to number 12.

Bridges has upheld justice and been given water, the re-entry of Pike River, and relations between the Maori and the crown. He also lost foreign affairs that have been returned to former Vice President Gerry Brownlee.

Brownlee, who lost his Ilam seat in the election, resigned as leader last week and said his focus would be on rebuilding National’s base in Christchurch. He has lowered the caucus ranking to 15.

New MP and former Air NZ chief Christopher Luxon is now a spokesperson for local government, iwi development and associated transportation.

Former national leader Todd Muller has also lowered the list to 19 and given trade and export growth and home affairs.

Collins has taken over national security and intelligence, Pacific peoples and technology, while Rep. Shane Reti will stay healthy and take care of the children’s portfolio.

Mark Mitchell has been ranked number 13 and will hold the utility, state business, and sports and recreation portfolios.

Louise Upston has stuck to social development and is number 5.

The top 10 is made up of seven men and three women.