Mr Woodhouse had faced the possibility of a drop down the rankings due to his public support for former leader Simon Bridges — the presence of associate health spokesman Shane Reti on stage at Mr Muller’s first press conference as leader also led some to question if Mr Woodhouse would retain health.
National’s revamped list of spokespeople, released yesterday, resulted in Mr Woodhouse not only retaining health, but also his previous roles as deputy shadow leader of the House and associate finance spokesman.
The list was not ranked numerically, but appears likely to reflect seniority; Mr Woodhouse was the seventh MP on the list.
"I’m delighted to be able to continue in the health role and somewhat energised by that," Mr Woodhouse said.
"We had a chat before the ballot on Friday about where he saw me in a future Todd Muller-led National party. He has been true to that commitment, and I would have expected nothing less; he is a person of very high integrity and he does what he says he will do."
There had been "a few days of uncertainty" Mr Woodhouse said, but he was pleased with the team Mr Muller had assembled, and the return of Selwyn MP Amy Adams to senior party ranks after reversing her earlier decision to retire.
The return of Ms Adams was a major surprise in an otherwise business-as-usual reshuffle, and she has been given a new Covid-19 recovery spokeswoman role.
Deposed leader Simon Bridges was unranked, but Mr Muller said he would be given a shadow cabinet ranking if he wanted it. Mr Bridges later confirmed he will stay on and stand in the 2020 election.
"Just to be clear after the reshuffle today, I am not considering my future. Just having a small amount of time out to take stock after the loss on Friday. I am candidate for Tauranga and intend to stand and help National obtain an historic win."
As announced on Friday, Paul Goldsmith has retained the finance role.
Mr Muller (small business) and deputy Nikki Kaye (education, sport and recreation) headed the list, followed by Ms Adams, Judith Collins (economic development, regional development, attorney general and Pike River re-entry) and Mr Goldsmith.
Mr Bridges’ former deputy, Paula Bennett, was 13th on the list, with responsibility for drug reform and women.
First-term Wellington list MP Nicola Willis was the big winner yesterday, vaulting well up the party pecking order and assuming the housing and urban development role.
Other southern MPs were also happy with how they fared.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, a former Waitaki District councillor, was disappointed to lose local government but pleased to retain conservation, an area she gained after the recent decision by Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie to retire.
"I’m very happy to have the luxury of a focused look at conservation, and I’m very happy with where I have been placed in the shadow cabinet," Mrs Dean said.
"Within the constraints of Covid-19, I have been connecting with conservation trusts and people who do conservation work on the ground and getting to know the sector."
Clutha Southland MP Hamish Walker loses associate agriculture but picks up forestry, associate tourism and land information.
That represents a big workload for a first-term MP, but is a mixture of regional development portfolios Mr Walker was excited about.
"I was hoping for one portfolio, to get more was an extra bonus, so I’m delighted," Mr Walker said.
"I’m especially looking forward to getting stuck into tourism, considering that Queenstown is the jewel in the crown for New Zealand and we are going through possibly our toughest times."
