Reshuffle of Cabinet by New Zealand’s PM Hipkins to Focus on Key Election Issues
As elections are coming in the year's second half, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced a cabinet reshuffle.
The reshuffle will help the government focus better on the key concerns regarding the voters.
On Tuesday, Hipkins in Wellington said that the new cabinet's aim would be on the core issues like living costs, healthcare, housing, education and safety of the businesses and communities.
The government's main focus should be on the issues that New Zealanders are currently facing. The new cabinet will focus on these issues.
Hipkins, after replacing Jacinda Ardern last week, has signalled to back some unpopular policies and seek to regain centre-ground voters. He aimed to do the same by focusing on the economy as it slid toward recession.
Grant Robertson will remain finance minister. His focus will be on fighting inflation, said Hipkins. This will help New Zealand’s businesses and families.
Michael Wood will be the Minister for Auckland and an associate finance minister in addition to retaining the transport and immigration portfolios.
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni will look after social development and employment and add associate foreign affairs.
Nanaia Mahuta was demoted to 16 in rankings from 9. She will be Foreign Minister, but her local government portfolio is given to Kieran McAnulty.
Stuart Nash takes over the police portfolio, which was previously from Hipkins. Hipkins has national security and intelligence. Andrew Little has the defence, Ayesha Verrall: Health and Jan Tinetti has the education portfolio.
Hipkins said that he aimed to achieve balance with the reshuffle, and New Zealanders will see the government getting the job done. This will also bring the depth of their talent and new energy to do the task.
The reshuffle will give the government new strength to focus on the issues of the country and solve them with their best capacity.
