Simon Bridges

The Honourable
Simon Bridges
Bridges in 2015
37th Leader of the Opposition
In office
27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
DeputyPaula Bennett
Preceded byBill English
Succeeded byTodd Muller
12th Leader of the National Party
In office
27 February 2018 – 22 May 2020
DeputyPaula Bennett
Preceded byBill English
Succeeded byTodd Muller
10th Shadow Leader of the House
In office
2 November 2017 – 27 February 2018
LeaderBill English
Preceded byChris Hipkins
Succeeded byGerry Brownlee
10th Leader of the House
In office
2 May 2017 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
DeputyMichael Woodhouse
Preceded byGerry Brownlee
Succeeded byChris Hipkins
Minister of Economic Development
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded bySteven Joyce
Succeeded byDavid Parker
26th Minister of Transport
In office
6 October 2014 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Bill English
Preceded byGerry Brownlee
Succeeded byPhil Twyford
24th Minister for Communications
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byAmy Adams
Succeeded byClare Curran (Communications and Digital Media)
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Tauranga
In office
8 November 2008 – 6 May 2022
Preceded byBob Clarkson
Succeeded bySam Uffindell
Majority1,856
Personal details
Born
Simon Joseph Bridges

(1976-10-12) 12 October 1976 (age 48)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyNational
RelationsSimon O'Connor (brother-in-law)
EducationUniversity of Auckland (BA, LLB)
London School of Economics
St Catherine's College, Oxford (BCL)
WebsiteOfficial website

Simon Joseph Bridges (born 12 October 1976) is a New Zealand retired politician, broadcaster and lawyer. He served as Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition between 2018 and 2020,[1][2] and as the Member of Parliament for Tauranga from the 2008 election to May 2022, when he resigned. Bridges is the first and currently the only Māori person to serve as leader of a major political party in New Zealand.[3][4]

A self-described "compassionate conservative",[5] Bridges served in several Cabinet positions, including Minister of Transport (2014–2017) and Minister of Economic Development (2016–2017). He took the role of Leader of the House from May to October 2017. Bridges was elected as National Party leader on 27 February 2018, succeeding former Prime Minister Bill English, who resigned. On 22 May 2020, following poor polling for the party, Bridges was challenged for the party leadership and replaced by Todd Muller, who would relinquish the leadership less than two months later.[6][7]

On 24 November 2021, Bridges was sacked from the shadow cabinet of Judith Collins, who cited a crude comment he made to fellow MP Jacqui Dean in 2016 that had been previously dealt with, with Bridges formally apologising to Dean in private. Collins' actions triggered a successful vote of no-confidence in her leadership by the National Party caucus the following day, with a leadership election scheduled for 30 November 2021. Bridges had intended to contest the election, but withdrew on the day of the vote and endorsed Christopher Luxon.

Bridges announced his retirement from politics in March 2022 to care for his son, triggering a by-election.[8] He subsequently became CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber. He also began a career in broadcasting, launching his podcast Generally Famous with Stuff in 2022, and in 2024 became Chairperson of Waka Kotahi.[9]

  1. ^ Bracewell-Worrall, Anna (27 February 2018). "Live updates: National chooses Simon Bridges". Newshub. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Simon Bridges confirmed as new National leader, Paula Bennett remains deputy". TVNZ. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lynch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Roy, Eleanor Ainge (27 February 2018). "New Zealand: National party elects Maori leader and deputy to take on Jacindamania". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  5. ^ Edwards, Bryce (15 February 2018). "Political Roundup: Why Simon Bridges is probably National's next leader". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Live: Todd Muller beats Simon Bridges in National Party leadership contest". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. ^ "National Party leadership: Collins, Kaye, Bridges still in the running". Radio New Zealand. 14 July 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference retirement-stuff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Stuff. "Simon Bridges: Generally Famous". interactives.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2024.