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Dr. Reti was insisting on his full support for Collins after revealing during the election campaign that he has his eyes on a jackpot.
“If they say you need to fill that position, it would be a privilege,” ZB told Newstalk in September.
On Tuesday Dr. Reti was asked if he ever wanted the leadership role.
“I am very proud today to have the support of the caucus and the support of the leader and to be able to work with Judith to move us forward,” he said.
Maybe one day it will, but not today.
“Everyone in the National Party should be welcome to have opinions about the leadership and, obviously, their own as well,” Collins said. “I am sure that at some point Dr. Shane will be an excellent leader of the National Party.”
Dr. Reti’s path was paved by Gerry Brownlee. The campaign chairman resigned as vice president last week, but says his intention is to remain a deputy for the entire term of Parliament.
Despite the fact that Collins led his party to a crushing electoral defeat, he was reconfirmed by his significantly smaller group as leader, for now.
“Not at all concerned,” Collins said, when asked if he feels his job is at risk.
But he will keep a firmly trained eye on rookie Christopher Luxon, the former chief executive of Air New Zealand, who won the Botany job.
Luxon left when asked on the way to the caucus meeting if he was interested in leadership.
Other possible future leadership contenders were more staunch, like Mark Mitchell, who ruled him out entirely.
“Yes, absolutely, I rule out any inclination in any leadership position,” he said.
Chris Bishop also confirmed that he has no leadership ambitions.
“Do I have leadership ambitions? No.”
Likewise, because some in the caucus have told Newshub that Bishop and Nicola Willis are considered toxic for their perceived role in a leadership coup against Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett, which destabilized the party.
“Was my behavior toxic? Oh, I wouldn’t characterize it that way,” Bishop said.
“I think we all, as a group, take responsibility for the outcome of the election,” Willis said. “I think you’ll find that the caucus chose Todd Muller as the leader.”
Collins kept her lips tight when asked if Bishop and Willis had apologized to the caucus for their role in destabilizing the party.
“Everything that happens in the caucus stays in the caucus.”
Collins is now in his office making and crushing dreams. On Wednesday, he unleashes his reorganization.
We know that Dr. Reti clings to health. Simon Bridges and Andrew Bayly can divide the coveted financial role, and there are many more.
