Ayesha Verrall will become the minister of health and moves to the front bench, taking the portfolio over from Andrew Little. Kieran McAnulty will join cabinet and take over the local government portfolio. Meanwhile, Little drops seven spots on the list, Phil Twyford is no longer a minister, and the Covid-19 portfolio, previously held by Chris Hipkins, has folded.
The reshuffle sees two new cabinet ministers appointed. Mana MP Barbara Edmonds will become the minister of internal affairs, minister for Pacific peoples, associate health minister for Pacific peoples and associate minister of housing.
Ginny Andersen will become the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Seniors, Associate Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.
The new education minister will be Jan Tinetti.
The kitchen cabinet of Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson and Megan Woods will remain.
Grant Robertson remains minister of finance in Labour’s reshuffle under new prime minister Chris Hipkins. “He has seen New Zealand households and businesses through the greatest economic shock since the Great Depression. This reshuffle gives him the time and support to apply his full focus on fighting inflation and helping New Zealand families and businesses to get by,” said Hipkins.
Transport minister Michael Wood moves to number seven and takes on the new Auckland portfolio as well as the associate finance minister role. Hipkins backed the renewed ministerial role for Auckland. “Having a senior minister with a focus on the city ensures Auckland has the attention it needs. That’s going to be even more important following the events of recent days.”
There are four new ministers outside of Cabinet; Duncan Webb, Willow-Jean Prime, Rino Tirikatene, and Deborah Russell.
Departing ministers are Poto Williams, David Clark, Aupito William Sio, Phil Twyford and Jacinda Ardern.
“This reshuffle is just the first step in our shift in focus,” Hipkins said.
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