The MP for Bay of Plenty emerged from relative obscurity to win a caucus vote last Friday and oust Simon Bridges as the party’s leader.
With the election looming in September, Mr Muller said he had little time to get around the country and introduce himself to voters.
‘‘One of the highlights of the job is getting out and about and meeting people, and in my climate change and agriculture roles I’ve been down your way a number of times and am very keen to do so again.
‘‘We have three very big blue seats down there, and the electorate of Taieri is potentially quite solid for National.’’
Mr Muller announced his new senior team and shadow cabinet roles on Monday.
Dunedin list MP Michael Woodhouse retained his seniority and health spokesman role, despite being a supporter of Mr Bridges.
Mr Muller said he did not care who Mr Woodhouse voted for, that he rated his performance in health highly, and that that was why he had stayed in the role.
‘‘He’s very talented, and this was not about who voted for who.’’
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean’s local government role was assigned to Lawrence Yule, a former mayor and head of Local Government New Zealand.
Mr Muller said Mr Yule was an obvious choice for the role, but he also wanted Mrs Dean to dedicate her time to her recently acquired conservation role.
‘‘I rate her highly and I think she will continue to add a huge amount in the conservation portfolio.
‘‘It’s a passion of hers, which I know having been to her electorate two years ago with the Blue Greens.’’
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker had been rewarded for a strong performance with several roles, Mr Muller said.
‘‘Land information and forestry are arguably two sides of the same coin and will work together well for him.
‘‘He is a tireless advocate for his community and, of course, for tourism in the South Island and Queenstown in particular.
‘‘I think he will be superb.’’
