Simon Bridges
Simon Joseph Bridges (born 12 October 1976) is a former New Zealand politician and lawyer. He served as Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition between 2018 and 2020, and as the Member of Parliament for Tauranga from the 2008 election to May 2022, when he resigned.
Simon Bridges | |
|---|---|
Bridges in 2015 | |
| 37th Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern |
| Deputy | Paula Bennett |
| Preceded by | Bill English |
| Succeeded by | Todd Muller |
| 12th Leader of the National Party | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020 | |
| Deputy | Paula Bennett |
| Preceded by | Bill English |
| Succeeded by | Todd Muller |
| 10th Shadow Leader of the House | |
| In office 2 November 2017 – 27 February 2018 | |
| Leader | Bill English |
| Preceded by | Chris Hipkins |
| Succeeded by | Gerry Brownlee |
| 10th Leader of the House | |
| In office 2 May 2017 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Bill English |
| Deputy | Michael Woodhouse |
| Preceded by | Gerry Brownlee |
| Succeeded by | Chris Hipkins |
| Minister of Economic Development | |
| In office 20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Bill English |
| Preceded by | Steven Joyce |
| Succeeded by | David Parker |
| 26th Minister of Transport | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | John Key Bill English |
| Preceded by | Gerry Brownlee |
| Succeeded by | Phil Twyford |
| 24th Minister for Communications | |
| In office 20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Bill English |
| Preceded by | Amy Adams |
| Succeeded by | Clare Curran (Communications and Digital Media) |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Tauranga | |
| In office 8 November 2008 – 6 May 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Clarkson |
| Succeeded by | Sam Uffindell |
| Majority | 1,856 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Simon Joseph Bridges 12 October 1976 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Relations | Simon O'Connor (brother-in-law) |
| Education | University of Auckland (BA, LLB) London School of Economics St Catherine's College, Oxford (BCL) |
| Website | Official website |
A self-described "compassionate conservative", Bridges served in several Cabinet positions, including Minister of Transport (2014–2017) and Minister of Economic Development (2016–2017). He took the role of Leader of the House from May to October 2017. Bridges was elected as National Party leader on 27 February 2018, succeeding former Prime Minister Bill English, who resigned. He became the first person with Māori ancestry to serve as leader of a major party in New Zealand. On 22 May 2020, following poor polling for the party, Bridges was challenged for the party leadership and replaced by Todd Muller, who would relinquish the leadership less than two months later.
On 24 November 2021, Bridges was sacked from the shadow cabinet of Judith Collins, who cited a crude comment he made to fellow MP Jacqui Dean in 2016 that had been previously dealt with, with Bridges formally apologising to Dean in private. Collins' actions triggered a successful vote of no-confidence in her leadership by the National Party caucus the following day, with a leadership election scheduled for 30 November 2021. Bridges had intended to contest the election, but withdrew on the day of the vote and endorsed Christopher Luxon.
Bridges announced his retirement from politics in March 2022, triggering a by-election.