National MPs gather to find new leader

National MPs are gathering in Wellington for a crisis meeting to elect a new leader, just 53 days after they chose the last one.

It follows the shock resignation of Todd Muller - who rolled Simon Bridges in May. In a statement the Bay of plenty MP said after reflecting on his experiences of the last several weeks - it has become clear to him - that he is not the best person to lead the opposition at this critical time.

Todd Muller went on to say things had become untenable from a health point of view. Sources have told Checkpoint the party hopes to elect a new leader within the next 24 hours.

But right now the job that some describe as the toughest in politics is vacant, following a baptism by fire that ended with a political burn out.