In a press conference alongside leader of the National Party /u/Paulkeating1 and Māori Party leader /u/AnswerMeNow1, /u/Fresh3001 announced the details of his shadow cabinet as Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Members of the media were keen to hear any comments on the formation of the 1st Greens Government, as the ACT Party leader had made no official statements on his electoral defeat so far.

“Yeah, good evening all, and welcome. First of all, I’d like to congratulate the Right Honourable /u/imnofox for their accession to the premiership, and also to the two Deputy Prime Ministers for their success in the recent election. Regardless of the methods used, Labour and the Greens ran a very strong campaign and the voters of New Zealand turned out for them on January 6th. I’d also like to thank my deputy, /u/Mattsthetic, for his part in the campaign, and to all of those Kiwis who supported the ACT party this last election. I’m sure /u/Paulkeating1 feels the same way with his respective supporters too.

“As the leader of the largest party not in government, I would like to announce the official formation of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, consisting of ACT, National and the Māori Party. With the result of this election announced, I am now the 4th Opposition Leader in just the 2nd Official Opposition. My first promise to the New Zealand taxpayer is that the opposition under my leadership will be nowhere near as unstable as the opposition of New Zealand First, in the previous parliament. To the 1,184,000 New Zealanders who voted for parties outside of the new government, I promise to fulfil my duties as Leader of the Opposition by holding the government accountable, and by scrutinising every budget, bill, motion, order in council, or other action that this government presents. To the quarter of the country that voted for the ACT Party, I promise to represent my party’s values in parliament and will at every opportunity attempt to achieve the goals of our manifesto through private member bills, or through negotiations with the government.

“With the formation of an official opposition comes the formation of the shadow cabinet, and as such I will announce the details of said cabinet today. As most will know, I served as Minister of Health in the previous government and will continue a similar role in opposition, as Health Spokesperson. In addition to this, I will also be the opposition Finance Spokesperson. In both roles I will criticise the government for its inevitably bloated and inefficient policy of ‘tax and spend,’ and will advocate for money to be returned to the taxpayer, and champion the reforms I made as Health Minister. My deputy leader, /u/Mattsthetic, will have the roles of Spokesman for Foreign Affairs, and for Infrastructure. He will promote ACT’s policies of supporting free trade, immigration, liberal ideals, and reforming the RMA - in contrast to the populist and protectionist attitude of the left towards trade, and their incessant desire to roll out red tape rather than cut it. /u/ThatPerthFan will have the shadow cabinet portfolios of Business, and Broadcasting & Communications, and will continue to support the removal of red tape alongside /u/Mattsthetic. Finally among the ACT Party, /u/BellmanTGM will have the role of Internal Affairs Spokesman, while /u/Ghost_of_John_Galt will be the Spokesman for Culture.

“Among the National and Māori Parties, /u/Paulkeating1 will have the shadow cabinet roles of Law and Social Development, /u/dyljam will be the Spokesman for Education and the Environment, /u/Kingethan15 for Defence and Regions, and /u/AnswerMeNow1 will be the Spokesman for Māori Affairs. All three of our parties will work alongside each other to present their policies in their respective portfolios, and will work together in areas of disagreement to show a unified front against the big government policies of the left. I look forward to having the support of 45% of Kiwi voters in this role, and again promise to fulfil every obligation that it comes with. Thank you all.”

/u/Fresh3001 left the podium after he delivered his speech to the hearty applause of his supporters, and half-hearted applause of the media.