Simon Bridges
Simon Joseph Bridges (born October 1976) is a New Zealand politician and lawyer. He was the Leader of the New Zealand National Party and Leader of the Opposition from 27 February 2018 to 22 May 2020.[1][2] He was the Member of Parliament for Tauranga from 2008 until 2022.[3]
Simon Bridges | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 37th Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern Winston Peters (Acting) |
| 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 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 |
| 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 December 2008 – 6 May 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Clarkson |
| Majority | 11,742 (31.69%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Simon Joseph Bridges October 1976 (age 48) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse(s) | Natalie Bridges |
| 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 |
Bridges has served in several Cabinet portfolios, including Minister of Transport (2014–2017), Minister of Economic Development (2016–2017) and Leader of the House (2017).
He is the first person with Māori ancestry to serve as leader of the National Party, and the first to lead 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. He would go onto retiring from the leadership of the party less than two months later.[4][5]
On 24 November 2021, Bridges was removed from the shadow cabinet of Judith Collins, because of a rude comment he made to fellow MP Jacqui Dean in 2016. After removing Bridges from her shadow cabinet, a motion of no confidence was passed against Collins and removed her as party leader. Bridges ran to replace her as party leader, but withdrew on the day of the vote and supported the eventual winner Christopher Luxon.
Bridges announced his retirement from politics in March 2022 and resigned as MP two months later in May.[6]
Simon Bridges Media
Bridges speaking to Bryce Edwards at a 2011 election event
Bridges, as Transport Minister, opens a cycle route in Palmerston North
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References
- ↑ Bracewell-Worrall, Anna (27 February 2018). Live updates: National chooses Simon Bridges. http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/02/live-updates-national-leadership-contest.html. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ "Simon Bridges confirmed as new National leader, Paula Bennett remains deputy" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. 27 February 2018. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-nationals-new-leadership-team-simon-bridges-confirmed-leader-paula-bennett-remains-deputy. Retrieved 27 February 2018.[dead link]
- ↑ Edwards, Bryce (15 February 2018). "Political Roundup: Why Simon Bridges is probably National's next leader" (in en-NZ). The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11995310. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ↑ "Live: Todd Muller beats Simon Bridges in National Party leadership contest" (in en). Stuff. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300017906/live-simon-bridges-and-todd-muller-in-national-party-leadership-contest. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
- ↑ "National Party leadership: Collins, Kaye, Bridges still in the running". Radio New Zealand. 14 July 2020.
- ↑ Swift, Molly (26 March 2022). "The heart-stopping family incident that drove Simon Bridges' shock retirement from politics". Newshub. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/03/the-heart-stopping-family-incident-that-drove-simon-bridges-shock-retirement-from-politics.html.