In the lead up to the announcement of the new National Party leader, New Zealand First has named its new deputy leader.

Fletcher Tabuteau has been named deputy following the party's caucus meeting this morning.

"New Zealand First extends its immense gratitude for the service of Ron Mark as deputy leader," New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said in a statement today.

"The party recognises Ron is an integral member of the team and we look forward to him playing a key role in the current government in his capacity as Minister of Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs."

Mr Tabuteau has been a member of the New Zealand First party since it began.

He's currently the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Foreign affairs and to the Minister of Regional Economic Development. </s> New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has announced Fletcher Tabuteau has won the battle to be his new deputy.

Mr Tabuteau has been a member of the party since its inception and is currently serving his second term in Parliament. He takes the position of former deputy leader Ron Mark.

"New Zealand First indicated last week that it would consider the deputy-leadership position at its caucus meeting this morning," says Mr Peters.

"After careful consideration, the caucus today supported Fletcher Tabuteau to take over the role and I congratulate him on this appointment as deputy leader.

"New Zealand First extends its immense gratitude for the service of Ron Mark as deputy leader. The party recognises Ron is an integral member of the team, and we look forward to him playing a key role in the current government in his capacity as Minister of Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs."

"It is my honour to announce that today I was successfully nominated as the Deputy Leader of New Zealand First," Mr Tabuteau says.

"The role comes with significant responsibility and I am delighted to have received the confidence of my caucus colleagues."

Newshub reporter Lloyd Burr says he is surprised that the "relative new-comer" won.

"I was of the mind that Ron Mark would absolutely cruise through that," he says.

"But no, there is a spanner in the works - he has been rolled by an MP called Fletcher Tabuteau."

Last week, rumours swirled that a deputy-leadership coup was brewing in NZ First, although it wasn't clear who was planning to challenge Mr Mark for his position.

But Burr says this "deputy-leadership roulette" won't affect any fight for the main prize - the leadership Mr Peters currently holds.



"What this means is that whoever is in that deputy leadership role is not the successor to Winston Peters," Burr says.

"If he ever does go his successor doesn't necessary have to be the deputy leader. Shane Jones could fit straight into that leadership role - it doesn't have to be the deputy."

Newshub. </s> Bill English is expected to become the next Prime Minister of New Zealand after being elected as the leader of the National Party.

English will replace former Prime Minister John Key, who unexpectedly resigned on December 5 after leading his party for 10 years and the country for eight.

"I am both excited and humbled by this opportunity," English said in a statement. "As Prime Minister, I will be committed to building a New Zealand which rewards hard work and enterprise and which cares for our most vulnerable."

English said that he and Paula Bennett, who will be his deputy leader, will be sworn in on Monday. </s> Tauranga MP Simon Bridges (Ngāti Maniapoto) has been announced the new leader of the National Party.

Bridges is joined by Paula Bennett (Tainui), who remains in the role of Deputy Leader.

A total of 56 National MPs gathered this morning in a caucus meeting to cast their votes on the party leadership.

The five contenders included Bridges, Judith Collins, Steven Joyce, Mark Mitchell and Amy Adams.

Earlier today, Bridges told Te Kāea he was a “proud Māori” and if he was to be made the leader, he hoped it would inspire other Māori.

“I think it’s definitely a part of who I am. It’s a part of what makes me and I hope Māori New Zealanders see that and are excited about that. It shows them that actually they can achieve and they can do interesting things with their lives and there’s a lot of opportunity in this country.”

In the last National-led Government, Bridges held several ministerial portfolios including Labour, Energy, Transport, Communications, Economic Development and Leader of the House.
Ron Mark is succeeded by Fletcher Tabuteau as deputy leader of New Zealand First.