Reshuffle of the Day

Dr Shane Reti has lost his health portfolio in a major reshuffle by the prime minister.

He will be replaced by Simeon Brown, while also dropping from fourth to ninth in the Cabinet rankings. [...]

Luxon said Reti had worked hard to reset the culture and performance of Health NZ, and he was confident it was heading in a better direction.

“But I have also heard Kiwis’ concerns that they expect to see even more progress – ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it,” he said. [...]

Asked what experience Brown had with health, Luxon said Brown had good experience managing large organisations, a good understanding of customer/patient expectations and he was “up for the challenge”.

A number of Brown’s portfolios have been given to other ministers. His Transport role will go to Chris Bishop, while Simon Watts will take on Energy and Local Government. At the same time, Brown has also been given the State-Owned Enterprises role.

Reti has been given a new Universities role, and also picks up Science, Innovation, and Technology. Luxon said both portfolios would play a critical role in the government’s economic growth plan. [...]

Finance minister Nicola Willis has been given the new Economic Growth role, formerly known as the Economic Development portfolio, which had been Melissa Lee’s. [...]

Lee, the former Media and Communications minister, is no longer a minister at all.

She will be replaced as a minister outside cabinet by first term MP James Meager, who picks up the Hunting and Fishing and Youth portfolios, as well as a newly created Minister for the South Island role.

The Rangitata MP, who is chair of Parliament’s justice committee and set to hear submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill, will remain in the role until the end of the select committee process, despite becoming a minister.

Cabinet minister Matt Doocey has also lost a number of portfolios, including ACC, Tourism and Hospitality, and Youth. He retains his Mental Health role and remains an Associate Health minister.

ODT