Health Minister Shane Reti has been stripped of his portfolio and demoted from fourth to ninth in National’s rankings after the Prime Minister announced a major cabinet reshuffle today.
Simeon Brown will be the new Health Minister, adding to his ever-increasing workload. Brown also picked up the state owned enterprises portfolio from Paul Goldsmith.
Some of Brown’s other portfolios went elsewhere, with Chris Bishop picking up transport and Simon Watts taking local government and energy.
In an interview with 1News last year, the Prime Minister acknowledged that health was the Government’s most challenging area.
Sources told 1News that Reti had been struggling to deal with those challenges as Health Minister. The Prime Minister was so concerned that he became involved with the health briefings.
In a statement today, Luxon said: “Last year, Dr Shane Reti worked hard to reset the culture and performance of Health NZ.
“It was critical to establish targets and refresh their leadership – and I am confident the organisation is heading in a much better direction that it was when we entered office.
“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.
“Simeon is an outstanding and diligent minister who has done an excellent job delivering on the Government’s priorities. Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.”
It’s a fall from grace for Reti, who was once the National’s deputy leader and interim leader for a short period.
On Thursday, he told The Post that the move would be “bizarre” and accused Labour of “mischief-making.”
Reti’s fall means no Māori ministers are inside Luxon’s top eight.
He will stay in cabinet and pick up universities, science, innovation and technology, and statistics.
Reti said he “absolutely” respected the Prime Minister’s decision and said it was a “privilege” to serve as Health Minister.
Brown meanwhile said he was “honoured” to be appointed Health Minister.
“My absolute priority in this role is ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders. Every decision I make will focus on improving outcomes for patients and supporting our hardworking health workforce.
“I’m not from the sector, and I’m not a union organiser—I’m here as an advocate for everyday Kiwis who simply want timely, quality healthcare when they need it. My role is to ensure the health system delivers for them.
He also thanked Reti for his work as health minister.
“His dedication has laid a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on his efforts to deliver better health outcomes for all Kiwis.”
It’s just one of several significant changes in today’s cabinet reshuffle.
Melissa Lee has been sacked as a minister and stripped of her remaining two portfolios of economic development and ethnic issues.
Lee had already been moved out of cabinet after struggling to deal with problems across the media industry last year — now she’s gone for good.
Taking her place outside cabinet is James Meager, seen as one of the party’s rising stars.
He has been the chair of the justice select committee, which is about to hear submissions on the treaty principles bill.
Meager picks up hunting and fishing, youth, associate transport, and a brand new title as Minister for the South Island.
“I would like to acknowledge Melissa Lee’s contribution in Government over the last year. She has worked incredibly hard engaging with the range of ethnic communities calling New Zealand home and I thank her for that service,” Luxon said.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis picks up economic development from Lee and will hand over public service to Judith Collins.
Elsewhere, Mark Mitchell becomes Sports Minister and picks up ethnic communities; Louise Upston becomes Tourism Minister and becomes Deputy Leader of the House; Chris Penk picks up small business and manufacturing; and Andrew Bayly becomes the Minister for ACC.
There were no changes to the ACT and NZ First Ministers. For there to be a change, consultation with David Seymour and/or Winston Peters is required.
ACT and NZ First are entitled to three ministers, each inside cabinet under the coalition agreements.
