Dunedin-based National list MP Michael Woodhouse is looking relaxed after spending much of the past few weeks at home with family.
With the Labour-led coalition now taking the government benches, Mr Woodhouse has relinquished the portfolios of Minister for ACC, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety.
When the country's MPs return to Wellington to be sworn in on Tuesday, followed by the formal state opening of Parliament on Wednesday, and the first political debate, Mr Woodhouse and his National colleagues will be fired up in opposition.
Speaking to The Star on earlier this week, Mr Woodhouse said he did not know which portfolios he would become National spokesman for, but said his party was "very motivated to be a good Opposition''.
He had "quite quickly accepted the reality'' of the National Party's situation, although he still had a strong sense of "unfinished business''.
"Once the decision was made, things happened very quickly,'' he said.
Although he would continue to hold the position of MP, Mr Woodhouse was concerned for his five parliamentary staff, who effectively lost their jobs in the changeover.
"Some face an uncertain future, and I am very concerned for them,'' he said.
Looking back over the nine years of the National government, Mr Woodhouse said there had been many positives for Dunedin, including Forsyth Barr Stadium, the establishment of centres of excellence at the University of Otago, and many more.
"And through the hardest of times, public sector staff numbers didn't drop in Dunedin.''
Plans for the Dunedin Hospital rebuild had also advanced under the National government, he said.
"A great deal of work has already been done on the rebuild under National, and I certainly plan to hold [new Health Minister] Dr David Clark to all of his promises.''
"The rebuild is a huge opportunity - a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reconfigure [health service delivery] in Dunedin.''
In terms of his own achievements in his ministerial roles, Mr Woodhouse said he was particularly proud of the work done on employment law and health and safety legislation.
"Despite the difficult process of getting the health and safety reforms through, I know that we will see a step change in the [accident and injury] trends,'' he said.
He had also run the gauntlet of contentious immigration policy issues, and would be keeping a close eye on it as a member of the Opposition.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
