Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the line-up of the new Government with Mt Roskill MP and former chief whip Michael Wood picking up the transport portfolio.
Former transport minister Phil Twyford has been removed from Cabinet altogether and takes on the portfolios of disarmament and arms control and state for trade and export growth.
Meanwhile, Wood has also been appointed deputy leader of the house and minister for workplace relations and safety.
Speaking at the press conference announcement, Ardern acknowledged that Twyford didn’t make the progress hoped for in the previous term, particularly on the housing portfolio.
Other key roles include Grant Robertson appointed to the role of deputy prime minister plus minister for finance, infrastructure, racing and sport and recreation.
Dr Megan Woods picks up the energy and resources portfolio which will play a key role in any future electric vehicle and renewable energy polices.
This will also play a key role in the co-operation agreement with the Green Party which includes James Shaw continuing as climate change minister.
Woods also picks up housing and science and research portfolios and associate finance minister.
Chris Hipkins has been appointed leader of the house and picks up the newly created COVID-19 response portfolio.
Damien O’Connor continues his work in the rural sector as minister for agriculture plus the biosecurity and trade and export growth.
Stuart Nash picks up the economic and regional development portfolio along with forestry. This portfolio will see continuation of work built up through the Provincial Growth Fund such the KiwiRail rebuild and job growth in transport related sectors in the regions.
Ardern says economic recovery and the ongoing COVID response are the key issues for the new Cabinet line-up.
“The next three years will be very challenging for New Zealand. With the global outlook worsening we won’t be immune to the ongoing impact Covid is having around the world,” Ardern says.
“With this in mind the new Labour Government will have two overarching priorities: to drive our economic recovery from COVID-19, and to continue our health response to keep New Zealanders safe from the virus.
“In what will be a difficult environment it’s critical we have our most experienced ministers leading the ongoing COVID response to keep New Zealanders safe from the virus and to accelerate our plan for economic recovery.
“Our recovery plan includes $42 billion of infrastructure investment that will create jobs and ensure our economic recovery also delivers much needed improvements to our roads and public transport, to schools, hospitals and housing, while also continuing to support our regions,” Ardern says.
