‘He and I are very united’: Luxon takes three roles off Bishop but denies discontent

Thursday, 2 April 2026

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he and Chris Bishop “had a great conversation” about his Cabinet reshuffle and the pair are “united”, as he revealed Bishop would be appointed attorney general but would lose three roles as a result.

It’s understood Bishop is not pleased with his reduction in roles.

“He and I are very united on the RMA reform being the single biggest thing we can do,” Luxon said on Thursday morning, stressing that he wanted Bishop to focus on the reforms which will be one of the Government’s biggest work deliveries.

Luxon told media Bishop was happy with the change saying the pair had “a real positive conversation”.

Bishop, long seen as a rival to Luxon to the leadership, picks up the attorney general role but loses both Leader of the House and Associate Sport - as well as his long-time role as the National Party campaign chair.

The reshuffle also sees Simon Watts stripped of energy and given back to Simeon Brown, with Luxon saying the fuel crisis means a senior minister is needed.

Brown is picking up the campaign chair role, while Louise Upston is picking up the Leader of the House role.

These two roles have given Bishop massive power within the party, as they run both the legislative program as well as the election campaign.

Chris Penk has picked up Judith Collins’ defence and space portfolios and entered Cabinet.

National’s only South Island cabinet minister Matt Doocey has stayed inside the Cabinet and will be joined by new Cabinet Minister Penny Simmonds, who is picking up the science portfolio.

Paul Goldsmith is picking up Collins’ public service portfolio.

New ministers outside of Cabinet include Cameron Brewer, who picks up commerce and small business, and Mike Butterick, who will be land information minister.

Luxon said the fuel crisis meant it was crucial that the Energy Minister be senior.

“The past few weeks have underlined how important energy security is and as such I will be elevating the Energy portfolio to senior minister Simeon Brown,” Luxon said.

Luxon reiterates Bishop’s ‘massive workload’

Luxon said that Bishop had a “massive workload” which was the reasoning for him losing the positions.

He disestablished the Associate Sports Minister portfolio completely because he thought the Government did not need it, though he noted Bishop “would [still] be able to get cricket tickets, so it will be all right”.

Bishop’s reduction in roles is likely to result in his office losing at least one staffer.

When portfolios change hands all staffers are “evented” - as their jobs have substantially changed. This means they are given the option of leaving and could not have a new job. Most are usually rehired.

When asked about the reshuffle Labour Party campaign chair Kieran McAnulty said it “doesn’t matter who the chair is when the PM is still a dud”.

Watts loses energy

Despite losing the energy portfolio Luxon said he still had confidence in Simon Watts, but he wants someone more senior in the role.

“Simon's a great contributor to our team, don't get me wrong, he's done an excellent job on energy.

“It's just I’m elevating it, because I'm just looking to the future, as I've been doing with government, as we organise around this fuel response to make sure that we've got the right leadership in place.”

He said given energy security would be a dominant issue for the rest of the year he wanted a senior minister associated with the portfolio.