{"id":2651,"date":"2023-02-01T05:51:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T16:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=2651"},"modified":"2023-02-01T05:51:11","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T16:51:11","slug":"shake-up-delivers-fresh-faces-for-governments-most-contentious-portfolios","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebuzz.apnanetwork.co.nz\/?p=2651","title":{"rendered":"Shake-up delivers fresh faces for government’s most contentious portfolios"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Some of the government’s most contentious portfolios will soon have a fresh face after the prime minister’s first cabinet reshuffle.<\/p>\n

The ministers who overhauled the health system and ushered in the Three Waters reforms [https:\/\/www.rnz.co.nz\/news\/political\/483394\/prime-minister-chris-hipkins-reveals-cabinet-reshuffle<\/p>\n

were demoted] in the shake-up.<\/p>\n

Andrew Little lost the health portfolio and picked up defence while Nanaia Mahuta no longer has local government.<\/p>\n

First term MP and former physician Dr Ayesha Verrall is now set to replace Little as Health Minister; a role she said she knew would be difficult.<\/p>\n

“I’m under no illusions that health is a tough portfolio but I think that I’m gonna bring the same enthusiasm I always have to making improvements for the health of New Zealanders.”<\/p>\n

Joining Little on the slide down the rankings was Nanaia Mahuta, who had shouldered the bulk of the criticism about the government’s agenda to reform water management.<\/p>\n

Te Paati M\u0101ori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said she was disappointed to see the demotion and said Mahuta did everything she was asked to do in the face of fierce criticism.<\/p>\n

“It wasn’t just Jacinda [Ardern] that was at the revolting end of some racist and misogynistic abuse and I guess that’s her reward for being committed and loyal and honourable to her party.”<\/p>\n

Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty is taking up the role of local government minister, after holding the associate role since last year, and was moved into cabinet in the reshuffle.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Mahuta said the role was in excellent hands with McAnulty, who had shown an ability to bring a rural perspective across the sector.<\/p>\n

While the prime minister had ruled out fully scrapping the Three Waters reforms, it was possible some changes would be made in the coming weeks and months.<\/p>\n

“We’re going to take a close look at the Three Waters reforms; certainly leaving open the possibility of a reset there,” Hipkins said yesterday.<\/p>\n

The PM ringfenced himself, his deputy Carmel Sepuloni, Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson and Megan Woods as Labour’s front bench.<\/p>\n

Robertson remained the minister of finance, while Michael Wood now has an associate finance role and an entirely new portfolio – as minister for Auckland.<\/p>\n

A lifelong Aucklander, Wood said the new role was more important than ever as the supercity navigated and recovered from this week’s deadly floods.<\/p>\n

“We need to make sure that we have a singular focus and point of accountability so that we can work with local government, business leaders, workers and community leaders to make sure Auckland pulls through this difficult period.”<\/p>\n

Labour list MP Jan Tinetti was made the new Education Minister while Phil Twyford – who had been a minister outside cabinet – was dropped from the executive altogether.<\/p>\n

MPs Ginny Andersen and Barbara Edmonds were moved straight into cabinet, while Willow-Jean Prime, Duncan Webb, Rino Tirikatene and Deborah Russell were made ministers outside cabinet.<\/p>\n

National’s Christopher Luxon said it did not matter who came in, as the top five ministers under former prime minister Jacinda Ardern had been retained.<\/p>\n

“When you look at the whole cabinet in its entirety it really is the same players that have been there for the last five and a half years, delivering worse outcomes for New Zealanders.”<\/p>\n

The cabinet reshuffle is scheduled be formalised by swearing-in ceremonies at Government House this morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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