Today the country's sixth Labour government will officially be sworn in at Government House, ending nine years of National rule.

For Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, it will be the start of a new chapter in his political career, as he swaps his ministerial portfolios for the opposition benches.

'It's a mixed blessing,” he says. 'There's a saying: the worst day in government is better than the best day in opposition.”

However, he says there are some things he's looking forward to in his first stint in opposition.

'I think it can be more creative than government, as hierarchies tend to disappear, and there's a real ability to roll your sleeves up and come up with new approaches with the time you have.

'I hope to use some of the skills I have to hold the government to account. I'm a criminal lawyer by training, and I think that can help find out what the new government's proposed changes really mean for New Zealanders.”

At the moment he's doing his ‘homework' for becoming an opposition MP, including thinking about possible private members' bills he could draft, and petitions to make sure Tauranga gets its fair share.

'Will the new government continue to ensure there's a four-lane highway from Cambridge through to the foot of the Kaimai Ranges, for instance?

'I've always believed being a minister was better for an electorate than being a backbench MP in government, because you have the power to do things. I think National has really brought home the bacon for Tauranga in the past nine years. We've invested in infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and new police stations.”

He says there's no question as an opposition MP he will have more time than he did as a senior minister.

'It means I can spend more time with community groups. There's also having the luxury to think about the changes we can make when one day I hope to be back in government.”

Simon first became a minister outside cabinet in April 2012, as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister of Transport, and Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues.

In January 2013, he moved into the cabinet and became Minister of Labour and Minister of Energy and Resources, giving up his other portfolios.

Under new Prime Minister Bill English, Simon became Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Communications, and Associate Minister of Finance, as well as being Minister of Transport.

He's not sure what areas he'll serve as the party's spokesperson while in opposition.

'We are going through a process in relation to shadow portfolios, and every National MP will be thinking about where they see themselves. I want to see where I can make the best contribution.”

He's also keen to see Bill and deputy leader Paula Bennett stay on, to help ‘regain government'.

'I think Bill has the best skills for us at the moment. He has massive experience not just in government, but in opposition as well. He was an incredibly effective opposition MP, particularly from 2005 to 2008, when National was on the comeback trail.”