Willow-Jean Prime has picked up the social development role.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Willow-Jean Prime has lost the education portfolio, but picked up social development, as Labour reshuffles its decks ahead of the election.
Ginny Andersen will take on the education role, making her the third Labour MP to take on the role in just over a year.
Peeni Henare‘s departure from Parliament, along with Adrian Rurawhe earlier this year, has given Labour leader Chris Hipkins an opportunity to change things up.
“These refreshed portfolios ensure our team will hit the ground running when we win the election in November,” Hipkins said.
Willie Jackson, who had taken on the social development role last year, will instead take on Māori Crown Relations.
Ginny Andersen will take on the education portfolio.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Speaking to the changes, Hipkins said Prime’s new social development role required “care, empathy, and a strong focus on improving outcomes for New Zealanders,” while Jackson would focus on running a “winning campaign” in the Māori seats.
Prime came under scrutiny last year after not responding to, and then declining, requests from the education minister for a meeting to discuss education reforms, and then criticising the government for not taking a more bipartisan approach.
But Hipkins said that “ancient history” and not the reason for Prime losing the education portfolio.
Hipkins said he still had confidence in her, and his reshuffle was about putting people in the places where he could make best use of their skills.
“Willow has got outstanding contacts in the social sector, she is going to be fighting hard to win Te Tai Tokerau for Labour as well. In the area around social development and employment, I think that’s an area where the government aren’t delivering what they’ve promised, and I think Willow is the right person to hold them to account for that.”
Among the other changes are Damien O’Connor picking up Henare’s defence spokesperson role, Reuben Davidson taking over economic development, and Tangi Utikere becoming the spokesperson for state-owned enterprises.
Willie Jackson, who had taken on the social development role last year, will instead take on Māori Crown Relations.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Davidson has jumped up Labour’s list, with Hipkins describing him as a “rising star” and someone who was “making waves.”
Vanushi Walters also moves considerably higher up Labour’s list, and takes over foreign affairs from Henare.
Hipkins said Walters would not make things political if they did not need to be, and had a lot of expertise in international law at a time international law was being tested.
“Someone who’s absolutely comfortable operating in that space is really, really important in the foreign affairs portfolio.”
New list MP Georgie Dansey has been given the rainbow issues and regulation roles. Dan Rosewarne, who will re-enter Parliament following Henare’s retirement, has been given the rural communities and small business portfolios.
Duncan Webb, who has announced he will retire at the election, has lost all of his spokesperson roles.
Vanushi Walters takes over foreign affairs from Peeni Henare who is departing politics.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
His justice portfolio has been given to Camilla Belich.
Hipkins said Webb would instead take on a “mentoring role to support our team.”
The Prime Minister is also expected to announce a ministerial reshuffle in the coming weeks, following the retirement of Judith Collins and Dr Shane Reti’s announcement he will step down at the election.
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