Simon Bridges is not going anywhere, despite what certain reporters thinks.

ZB's political editor Barry Soper called the National Party leader hapless in an editorial this morning, and suggested his party wants him gone.

However, Bridges told The Country's Jamie Mackay that he's staying where he is.

And he took aim at what he calls a 'ZB male journalist phenomenon'.

"Barry's probably key ring leader. They've had this view prior to me being leader, they wanted to write me off, and now they want to see that it's true."

Bridges says that he wonders if there is a "bit of an old buck, young buck thing going on".

He insists that National will be very competitive in 2020 with him at the leadership.

LISTEN TO SIMON BRIDGES TALK WITH JAMIE MACKAY ABOVE