Bridges chosen to lead National

Simon Bridges is National's new leader, and Paula Bennett has retained the deputy's role.

The pair emerged from today's caucus vote with wide grins after securing the leadership in a vote held behind closed doors.

Bridges said it was an "enormous privilege" to replace Bill English.

"My focus as leader will be ensuring we build on those policies to improve the lives of New Zealanders," he said.

"Our caucus has an incredible depth of talent and abundant energy which is why we continue to enjoy so much support. New Zealanders believe in our vision for New Zealand and in our team.

"My job as leader will be to hold the Jacinda Ardern-Winston Peters coalition to account."

He said said he was "humbled" by the support of his colleagues, and acknowledged the other contenders, saying he had no doubt they could also have done the job of leader.

Simon Bridges speaks at Parliament after being chosen as the new National Party leader, watched by his deputy Paula Bennett. Photo Getty

He said the deputy position was contested between two people, but would not give further details. "That's confidential for caucus."

Bridges said National was the biggest party in New Zealand and he was fortunate to have inherited a party that was in such good shape.

"Today's modern National Party has very strong foundations to build on from the Key - English governments."

Bridges becomes the first Maori leader of the National Party, along with Bennett, who also has Maori heritage, political commentator Bryce Edwards noted.

He replaces Bill English, who resigned on February 13. He will leave Parliament this week, after two stints as National's leader and 10 months as prime minister after Sir John Key quit.

Judith Collins was the first to announce she would run for leader, followed by Amy Adams, Simon Bridges, Mark Mitchell and Steven Joyce.

The first challenge for Bridges will be to unify the caucus after the intense two-weeks leadership contest.

That will be done partly through a re-allocation of roles in a reshuffle, which can be expected as early s this week.

All leadership contenders can expect to have prominent roles in the new lineup.

The biggest issue will be who gets finance, held for the past year by Steven Joyce.

Bridges will be straight into his work - appearing in Parliament at 2pm today to lead National's questions to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Performance in the House is not considered the most important part of the leader's role but it is crucial to maintaining morale in the party.

National Party president Peter Goodfellow has congratulated Bridges on his appointment.

"Simon will be a fierce opponent for the Coalition Government, and I would expect nothing less," he wrote in an email.

"I am proud to be the president of a strong and united party. Together with Simon and our whole National team, we will continue to hold this government to account until the next general election, and earn the right to re-take the government benches."

After 27 years in Parliament, Bill English will deliver his valedictory address on Thursday.

Who is Simon Bridges?

• Politics: MP for Tauranga, first elected in 2008 replacing National MP Bob Clarkson. Former Minister of Economic Development, Transport, Energy, Labour, Communications and former Leader of the House. Joined Young Nationals aged 16. Stood for deputy leader in 2016 against Paula Bennett.

• Work: Previously Crown prosecutor in Tauranga.

• Family: Raised in Te Atatu, West Auckland, the youngest of six children. Father was a Baptist minister, mother was a primary school teacher. Ngati Maniopoto. Met his wife, Natalie, at Oxford University. Three children, two boys and a daughter who was born in December.

• Education: Former head boy at Rutherford High, where former Labour minister Chris Carter was one of his teachers. BA and LLB (Hons) from Auckland University, Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University.

• Voting: Voted against same sex marriage but says now the law is working well and would not change it. Voted against first reading of euthanasia bill.