Phil Twyford remains focused on his transport portfolio but has lost sole responsibility for housing in prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Megan Woods, who is also minister of energy and resources, takes on the housing portfolio.
Twyford will continue to take the lead on urban development and legislative changes around affordable housing and infrastructure around them.
Woods will be joined by Kris Faafoi as associate housing minister who will take responsibility for public housing, including state housing and tackling homelessness.
Faafoi rises in the ranks and joins Cabinet for the first time. He has recently played a big role as minister of commerce and consumer affairs when he implemented a mandatory recall of all vehicles with alpha Takata airbags in April last year.
“Minister Twyford will remain in the housing team and share his extensive knowledge with the other ministers.
“But there is much work to be delivered in transport where this Government is making the largest ever investment in our roads and public transport infrastructure. To complement this work he will also pick up economic development,” Ardern says.
“Kris Faafoi has done an outstanding job as a minister outside of Cabinet and now joins the Cabinet based on his performance this term,” she says.
