Smith to keep Speaker role

Lockwood Smith will be Speaker in the new Parliament but he might not hold the position for long.

Dr Smith has been Speaker since National won the 2008 election and Prime Minister John Key confirmed on Monday he would again be National's nominee when Parliament sits next week.

There's been intense speculation that Dr Smith will be appointed High Commissioner to London when the post becomes vacant around the middle of next year.

Mr Key wouldn't be drawn on that but told reporters he wasn't ruling it out.