Portly National MP Gerry Brownlee has a reputation for throwing his weight around inside and outside Parliament, but he also knows when to back off.
Two years ago Mr Brownlee sacrificed his own political career, citing party unity when he stepped down as deputy leader to make way for Bill English.
Such selfless action belied Mr English's criticism of him, revealed in Nicky Hager's book the Hollow Men, that Mr Brownlee looked after his own interests rather than his colleagues.
He achieved notoriety in the 1999 election campaign for manhandling an elderly protester down a flight of stairs, in front of a television crew.
A court awarded Native Forest Action supporter Neil Abel $8500 in damages, but found Mr Brownlee had not set out to harm Mr Abel.
A confrontational debater in the House, he can take the heat as well as dishing it out - laughing off jibes by his political opponents that have seen him described as a "Billy Bunter of a man".
Mr Brownlee will be leader of the House, and hold the economic development and energy and resources portfolios, as well as being associate minister for the rugby world cup.
Born in 1956, he began his working life in the family timber business, training to be a carpenter, gaining trade qualifications and operating his own business.
Mr Brownlee was elected to Parliament in 1996, after being head of the Technical Department at St Bede's College in Christchurch.
He was often linked with attempts to undermine then party leader Bill English and at least one coup attempt.
Mr Brownlee's past positions do not sit comfortably with National's two main support parties.
In 2003 when Don Brash and others in National wanted to cuddle up closer to ACT, Mr Brownlee said ACT MPs had little respect for ordinary New Zealanders and National Party members who admired ACT should "bugger off" and join it.
As Maori affairs spokesman under Dr Brash's leadership, he argued against special treatment for Maori.
