I'm excited to lead New Zealand

Today I have been elected Leader of the National Party and will become New Zealand’s 39th Prime Minister. I am both excited and humbled by this opportunity.
 
I’m also proud to have Paula Bennett as Deputy Leader. She’s a smart, accomplished and energetic woman and is National’s first ever female deputy leader.
 
Later today, we will head up to Government House to be sworn into our new roles by the Governor-General.
 
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. I recognise the aspiration of all New Zealanders to flourish and this Government will continue working hard to help them do so.
 
I would like to thank the outgoing Prime Minister for his dedicated and outstanding service to this country. His intelligence, optimism and integrity as Leader of the National Party and Prime Minister means he will be judged by history as one of New Zealand’s greatest leaders. 
 
It’s fantastic to lead a strong unified team of MPs bursting with ideas about how we can make New Zealand an even better place to live, work and bring up families and we will work hard to do just that.

Kind regards,

Bill English