National leader Judith Collins has made her stamp on the party by announcing her new shadow cabinet.

She holds the portfolios of National Security, while her deputy, Gerry Brownlee, holds the SIS, GCSB and Covid recovery.

Paul Goldsmith will retain the finance portfolio, while former leader Simon Bridges returns to the front bench with Foreign Affairs and Justice.

However, her announcement was overshadowed by announcements from Amy Adams and Nikki Kaye that they would be retiring from politics at the election. 

Meanwhile, Auckland Council has approved its emergency budget.

Councillors have voted in favour of a 3.5 per cent rates rise, in an effort to reduce a $750 million hole in the budget.

It means average household rates will increase 4.4 per cent.

The Council is also looking into selling $244 million worth of properties and long-term car park concessions.

Mayor Phil Goff says the fall-out from Covid- 19 is the biggest challenge any Auckland Council has ever encountered.

 

• Phil Goff: Rates increase will prevent drastic measures to tackle water crisis
• Collins' reshuffle - Bridges is back, Muller's plum role