National minister Chris Bishop has spoken for the first time since the Prime Minister announced he would be removing him as Leader of the House and campaign chair, while also giving him the Attorney-General job.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Bishop said he was “very pleased” to pick up the Attorney-General position.

“I’ve got a law degree and had a deep interest in public law going all the way back to university day.”

Asked about the loss of the campaign chair position, Bishop responded it was “no secret that I’ve had a lot on my plate.”

“I’ve got a number of major portfolios across housing and transport and RMA and infrastructure.”

When asked if he wanted to lose those roles, Bishop said: “I serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.”

“I said at the start of the year that I’ve got a busy, very busy workload and a young family too, obviously,” he said.

“Something had to give, right? There is so many hours in every day. You have got to sleep at some point.”

Asked again about whether he was happy to lose the roles, Bishop said: “I serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. He has made his call on that.”

“I’m just going to do the jobs that I’ve got to the best of my ability and there is plenty of work to get on with.”

The Herald earlier reported that Bishop was unhappy with the reshuffle decision. Bishop has also lost the associate sport portfolio.

Chris Penk and Penny Simmonds will join Cabinet as part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National reshuffle.

The pair will replace outgoing MPs Judith Collins and Shane Reti, who earlier this year announced they would be retiring from Parliament.

James Meager, a minister outside of Cabinet many speculated would receive a Cabinet spot, has not been given a promotion.

Penk will become New Zealand’s new Defence Minister and will also take on the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Space portfolios. Simmonds has responsibility for Tertiary Education and Science, Innovation and Technology.

“Chris’ time in the NZDF leaves him well placed to lead the work our Government has done in raising the status and capability of our armed forces,” Luxon said.

“Penny has successfully delivered reforms to the vocational education sector, also from outside Cabinet, and will bring her extensive governance experience to her new portfolios.”

Simeon Brown, who is already in Cabinet, will take on the Energy portfolio, which currently sits with Simon Watts. Luxon said the past weeks have “underlined how important energy security is”.

Watts will take the Auckland portfolio, which is held at the moment by Brown.

Paul Goldsmith will take on the Public Service and Digitising Government and Pacific Peoples portfolios.

Two MPs were becoming ministers outside of Cabinet: Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer will become Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister as well as the minister for Small Business and Manufacturing.

He would also become Associate Minister of Immigration, taking over from Penk.

Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick would become Minister for Land Information and an associate Agriculture Minister.

Luxon acknowledged the departure of Judith Collins and Shane Reti.

“New Zealand is better for Judith and Shane deciding to enter public service and I am grateful to count them both as friends. On behalf of the Government and the National Party, I wish them all the best for their futures outside Parliament.”

The reshuffle changes would come into effect next Tuesday.

Goldsmith told the Herald he was “happy to serve” when asked for his reaction to his new portfolios.

“I’m happy to do whatever I’m asked to do.”

Asked if he had requested his new roles, Goldsmith said it was Luxon’s decision to allocate portfolios, but said he was “very pleased”.

Through the reshuffle, Goldsmith has become one of the busiest ministers with six portfolios.

On his prior engagement with the Pacific community, Goldsmith said he had had experience “to some degree” but acknowledged there was “much more to do”.

He did note he was an Auckland-based MP, claiming the city had the biggest Pacific population in the world.

Asked about Simmonds’ promotion, Goldsmith said it was “richly deserved”.

Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.