Monday, 19 December 2016 08:22

Guy retained as Primary Industries Minister

Written by 
Nathan Guy. Nathan Guy.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy retained his portfolio in the new Cabinet unveiled by Prime Minister Bill English yesterday.

Guy was one of a handful of Ministers retaining their existing responsibilities; he keeps Primary Industries and Racing.

Prime Minister English, who took over the helm of the National-led Government after the sudden resignation of John Key, says his new Cabinet line-up builds on the success of the last eight years and provides new ideas and energy heading into election year.

“Over the last eight years National has provided a strong and stable Government which is delivering strong results for New Zealanders,” says English.

“This refreshed Ministerial team builds on that success and provides a mix of new people, alongside experienced Ministers either continuing their roles or taking up new challenges.

“This new Ministry is focused on providing prosperity, opportunity and security for all Kiwis, including the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will remain the Minister of State Services and Climate Change Issues and will pick up the Police, Women and Tourism portfolios.

Steven Joyce will pick up Finance and Infrastructure, while Gerry Brownlee will remain the Leader of the House and retain Supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Defence, and the Earthquake Commission portfolios. He will also be appointed as the Minister of Civil Defence.

Big winners, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have picked up additional senior ministerial responsibilities.

Bridges continues as the Minister of Transport and will pick up the Economic Development and Communications portfolios and Associate Finance, while Adams retains Justice, Courts and picks up Social Housing, Social Investment and Associate Finance. Adams will take a lead role in driving the Government’s social investment approach.

“Simon and Amy are two high performing Ministers who are ready to take on more responsibility. I am confident they will work well with Finance Minister Steven Joyce,” says English.

Jonathan Coleman continues in his Health and Sport and Recreation portfolios, and will play an important role on the front bench.

There are four new Ministers. Alfred Ngaro who goes straight into Cabinet and Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett who have been promoted to Ministerial positions outside Cabinet.

Judith Collins takes on new responsibilities in Revenue, Energy and Resources and Ethnic Communities, and is well placed to oversee the significant business transformation work occurring.

More like this

MPI defends cost of new biosecurity lab

The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.

Featured

Wool training reaches Chatham Islands

Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sugar hit

OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer…

Wrong focus?

OPINION: The Hound reckons a big problem with focusing too much on the wrong goal - reducing livestock emissions at…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter