The great Cabinet reshuffle

Written By: - Date published: 3:12 pm, December 18th, 2016 - 94 comments
Categories: bill english, Hekia parata, Judith Collins, national/act government, paula bennett, Politics, Steven Joyce - Tags:

The results have been announced.  Various obnoxious Ministers have been replaced by equally obnoxious alternatives.

The highlights are:

  • Murray McCully is goneburger but not until May 1.  Matthew Hooton will not be pleased.  Clearly English blinked.  McCully is not known as the dark prince because he likes watching Batman movies.  And he has some real fans such as Audrey Young and Tracey Watkins who wrote glowing pieces about his prowess.  Makes you wonder where all those leaks came from.  And I wonder if the possibility of another by election was the motivation for the delay.
  • Craig Foss and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga have gone without a trace.
  • Goodhew is gone and Paula Bennett becomes Minister of Women’s affairs.  The polling must be disturbing for them.
  • Hekia Parata gets to stay on to May 1 to continue with her decimation of the Education system.
  • Alfred Ngaro, Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett are made Ministers with Ngaro straight into cabinet.
  • Nick Smith has been protected by his old mate the PM although his portfolio has been cut in half with the social side given to Amy Adams.  I was slightly surprised at this as National will merrily throw someone overboard and then try and blame them for any problems.
  • Amy Adams and Simon Bridges get healthy promotions.
  • Judith Collins gets a big demotion losing both Police and Corrections.  That has to hurt.   She gets Revenue, Energy and Resources and Ethnic Communities instead.
  • As indicated Joyce picks up finance.

More details will be added as they become clear.

Update:  Full list is here.

When you look at it the changes are rather modest.  Seven ministers retain their current rankings.  Woodhouse jumps up seven positions, Smith loses four, Collins three and Coleman two.  And there are two extra cabinet positions.  Renewal through expansion is an interesting concept.

94 comments on “The great Cabinet reshuffle ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mosa 1
    18 December 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Hey Mickey i thought Coleman stayed as minister of health and foreign affairs will be decided in May next year.

    [Right you are and corrected – MS]

  2. Ad 2
    18 December 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Parata and McCully untouched even though they are leaving? Bonkers.

    Bennett at no. 2 has a pretty light portfolio. Needs actual testing with machinery of government.

    English clearly listened to the banjo recital and made Flavell Minister for Whau Ora and Maori Development. Team kept sweet.

    Adams for Social Housing is a weak focus on an area that could lose them the election. Weak person, weak outcomes.

    Still nowhere near enough fresh blood in the lower third.

    Feels more like a quick botox than a proper facial and wax.

    • Muttonbird 2.1
      18 December 2016 at 3:42 pm

      Adams for Social Housing is a weak focus on an area that could lose them the election. Weak person, weak outcomes.

      You sound disappointed.

      • Ad 2.1.1
        18 December 2016 at 3:48 pm

        yup.
        looking forward to seeing the back of directionless, futile government.

        • Muttonbird 2.1.1.1
          18 December 2016 at 4:02 pm

          Great to hear you want to change the government.

          • Anne 2.1.1.1.1
            18 December 2016 at 6:21 pm

            Foot in both camps? 😉

            • Muttonbird 2.1.1.1.1.1
              18 December 2016 at 6:37 pm

              As always a fence-sitting, do-nothing centrist.

              • Ad …
                18 December 2016 at 8:53 pm

                Oh Fuck Off.
                I’ve run plenty of campaigns for Labour.
                You can ask me how successful I’ve been if you like.

                You have absolutely no idea about my political background so why don’t you just stop being a judgmental shit and figure it out.

                Failing that, grow some nuance.

                • Hanswurst …
                  18 December 2016 at 9:41 pm

                  You have absolutely no idea about my political background so why don’t you just stop being a judgmental shit and figure it out.

                  At a guess, it would be on the back of what you write. If the comments were based on your election campaigns, they might be different, but given that most here don’t know much about that context…

                  • Muttonbird …
                    20 December 2016 at 11:26 pm

                    Absolutely. We’re not mind-readers and have no idea about Ad’s past being true leftie as it is described by mickeysavage.

                    What this forum knows is what Ad posts now and that is a mix as I described, 10% social consciousness, and 90% adulation of raw political expediency.

                    Not sure how this helps the disadvantaged…but Advantage might.

              • mickysavage …
                18 December 2016 at 9:38 pm

                Ad is a leftie. A very sophisticated discerning wanting to throw all sorts of ideas into the mix and see where we get to one but a true leftie.

                • Muttonbird …
                  20 December 2016 at 11:28 pm

                  It’s the Spanish civil war all over again for some of these ‘true lefties’ like Ad and Chris Trotter. They’d rather Franco than a slight variation of their own narrow politics.

    • Sam C 2.2
      18 December 2016 at 3:44 pm

      I’m genuinely interested as to why you think Amy Adams is a weak person, with weak outcomes.

      She strikes me as extremely smart and hard working in terms of her contribution as the Minister of Justice.

      • Ad 2.2.1
        18 December 2016 at 3:51 pm

        No argument about her competence in Justice.

        My problem is both the lack of focus in this list on a critical issue, and also I haven’t seen anything in Adams that has the breath or toughness to embrace this portfolio and crack it.

        The last Cabinet mix had three portfolios attached to it, which it needed.

      • billmurray 2.2.2
        18 December 2016 at 4:04 pm

        Sam C,
        Amy Adams, she is tough and focused. Served Auckland Central well. I have a few doubts about her health. Its wait and see.

        • Muttonbird 2.2.2.1
          18 December 2016 at 4:14 pm

          Bill! Back from your ban I see but you got the wrong person. Nikki Kaye has the health problems and is MP for Auckland central, not Amy Adams. Not too bright are you Bill?

          I said right before you were banned that you wouldn’t last long but you just kept on going, didn’t you Bill? And then got tanked. How long do you think you will last this time, Bill?

          Also, which forum did you follow me here from like an adoring puppy?

        • Sam C 2.2.2.2
          18 December 2016 at 4:17 pm

          Bill, you might be confusing Adams with Nikki Kaye?

          • billmurray 2.2.2.2.1
            18 December 2016 at 4:33 pm

            Sam C,
            yes you are right, I got the Auckland Central wrong, my apologies. Weak excuse but the vodka got in the way.

            Cheers, merry Xmas.

            • Sam C 2.2.2.2.1.1
              18 December 2016 at 4:39 pm

              😂😂

              • Muttonbird …
                18 December 2016 at 5:14 pm

                I can only imagine billmurray is one of those know nothing ex-pats who contribute 2/5ths of fuck all to New Zealand but love to pontificate on stuff they know absolutely nothing about.

                These ex-pats like to think they are taking New Zealand skills to the world but in reality they are taking the dumb parts of New Zealand to the world as is evidenced by billmurray’s utter confusion between Amy Adams and Nikki Kaye.

                Perhaps it is because they are both women and as such are all the same to him?

                • mickysavage …
                  18 December 2016 at 9:40 pm

                  He shows one characteristic that suggests he is not. He acknowledged when he got something wrong.

            • Muttonbird 2.2.2.2.1.2
              18 December 2016 at 4:56 pm

              And the health problems. You got that wrong too, because you are very stupid.

              Interesting you’d blame drink for completely stuffing up your first post after a ban and not having the respect of Nikki Kaye’s story in Auckland central and her battle with cancer.

              No moral compass.

              • billmurray …
                18 December 2016 at 5:16 pm

                Muttonbird,
                The mistake is not a big deal.
                Why are you so negative and nasty.
                You have not changed.
                I understand you are getting a new train set for Xmas.
                Cheer up on that.
                merry Xmas.

                • Muttonbird …
                  18 December 2016 at 5:20 pm

                  You’re right, it’s not a big deal but it does show how monumentally stupid you are.

                  • billmurray …
                    18 December 2016 at 5:36 pm

                    Muttonbird,
                    lol,
                    you may feel a little better when you get your train set.
                    Do you still shit your pants?.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      18 December 2016 at 5:45 pm

                      That is really weak but I wasn’t expecting anything else, tbh.

                      Why don’t you consider where you are posting and start thinking about how to make New Zealand better for all citizens?

                      Perhaps that is too much to ask from an ex-pat who enjoys commenting on a country he doesn’t contribute one cent to.

                    • fustercluck …
                      18 December 2016 at 6:08 pm

                      If you guys have something personal to work out then by all means do it. In private. This exchange is nothing short of a total waste of electrons. And I have been sucked into it because it was too long to easily scroll past without seeing at least a bit of the invective.

                      Let he who has never made a minor error about parliamentary seats, etc., cast the first stone!

                    • Sam C []
                      18 December 2016 at 6:42 pm

                      Couldn’t agree more fustercluck.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      18 December 2016 at 8:17 pm

                      Suck it up, clusterfuck. Your username suggests you can.

  3. Rae 3
    18 December 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Oh how about this for a way to deal with the housing problem – just ditch the housing ministry? Like a kid hiding behind their hands, think if they can’t see anyone, then no-one can see them.

    • Cinny 3.1
      19 December 2016 at 9:31 am

      no one to answer the hard questions about housing, i can hear it now, the excuses… at question time… Im not the minister responsible for that

  4. Muttonbird 4
    18 December 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Mark Mitchell. This guy was a mercenary, right?

    Alfred Narrow is a cross between Sam Lotu-Iiga and Judith Collins. A token appointment at best and just as abusive as Collins, by all accounts.

    As for Judith looking after ethnic communities, is that because her husband is a Pacific person?

    • Anne 4.1
      18 December 2016 at 6:26 pm

      Mark Mitchell. This guy was a mercenary, right?

      And a mate of Slater’s plus that guy from Northland called Mike Sabin who struck it lucky and didn’t go to gaol.

    • alwyn 4.2
      18 December 2016 at 7:23 pm

      Amazing. You are the one accusing “billmurray” of being an idiot and then you
      (1) Talk about someone named “Alfred Narrow” and
      (2) Seem to think that Judith Collins’ husband is a Pacific Islander.
      Pray inform us. Do you think the female co-leader of the Green Party is an Inuk named Tworay?

      • Muttonbird 4.2.1
        18 December 2016 at 7:33 pm

        How stupid are you? The first is a nickname for the new token brown minister for the current government. The second is absolutely true. David Wong Tung of the corrupt Kauri swamp timber Wong Tungs is Samoan and Bling is trying to use that fact to sell her as the minister for ethnic communities portfolio. There is simple no other valid reason for selecting her for this made up portfolio.

        • Johan 4.2.1.1
          18 December 2016 at 8:42 pm

          Poor Alwyn is too quick to practise his usual Tory Troll habits and needs to think twice before commenting or has the vodka got in the way as well;-))))

        • alwyn 4.2.1.2
          18 December 2016 at 8:48 pm

          ” The first is a nickname for the new token brown minister “.
          In other words. He’s one of those darkies and we can ignore their real names. Perhaps you think we should refer to him as “you” or “boy”.
          Can I, with your approval, comment on “Angry” for the leader of the Labour Party, and “Poo Poo” for Turei?
          They are nicknames for them after all.
          I am of the view that Collins’ husband is a New Zealander. He came to New Zealand as a child it is it true but doesn’t he ever become anything other than one of those “brown people”, a Pacific Islander in your view?
          Where did your ancestors come from? Any British ancestors? Can we forever refer to you as a “Pom” if there is?

      • wellfedweta 4.2.2
        19 December 2016 at 10:09 am

        Classic.

  5. Whispering Kate 5
    18 December 2016 at 3:57 pm

    What’s Gerry doing – still Defence? and Louise Upston is now doing Corrections – she is worse than useless, I thought she would be gone – phew there is going to be some fun with Corrections under her stewardship.

  6. Muttonbird 6
    18 December 2016 at 4:08 pm

    I see they have dropped the ‘Vulnerable Children’ thing. Probably after a focus group.

    There really is no change. for all the talk about Bling stamping his authority of the cabinet, he really hasn’t had the balls to do anything.

    I’m sure this will also be the way he runs his government.

    • Cinny 6.1
      19 December 2016 at 9:35 am

      The ministry is still called Vulnerable Children, its just the ministers title has dropped vulnerable, just not the ministry, mickey mouses as lololz

  7. mosa 7
    18 December 2016 at 4:14 pm

    Giving Bennett womans affairs is a joke considering the huge workload she now carries it will get no attention as usual.

    Shows their commitment to womans policies overall with Bill highlighting how important the ministry is.

    Same crap different leader, the more things change the more they stay the same.

    Its a bit like the Key legacy its hard to find anyone who can point to anything the womans affairs ministry has done in the last eight years that really stands out thats had a positive impact.

    • Sam C 7.1
      18 December 2016 at 4:23 pm

      To be fair, what has the Ministry of Women’s Affairs ever done? It was hardly a shining light of progressive policy ideas under the Labour Government either, was it?

      Its whole reason for being requires some serious consideration, in my view. I’m not saying ditch it, but it is deadset useless in its current format.

      • Muttonbird 7.1.1
        18 December 2016 at 4:25 pm

        I’m sure most times Bennett will say ‘she should learn to keep her legs closed’.

        • Nick 7.1.1.1
          18 December 2016 at 5:05 pm

          @Muttonbird….very funny

        • Carolyn_nth 7.1.1.2
          18 December 2016 at 6:39 pm

          From memory, Bennett has been more outspoken on some women’s issues than her predecessor. However, I also recall that when she spoke at some event for women in politics, she made it all about herself. Spokespeople for Labour, Maori Party & the Greens, women workers, women on low incomes, etc.

          Bennett asked if the jibes she gets is because she’s a woman? Then said Brownlee also got similar comments – was all about her.

    • Anne 7.2
      18 December 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Giving Bennett womans affairs is a joke.

      Is it ever, given she’s the one who stopped solo mums (like herself) from being able to climb the ladder of success like she did. I hope Lab and Greens rip into her about that next year.

  8. Muttonbird 8
    18 December 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Bill English reveals new Cabinet, without Minister of Housing.

    New Shub gets the headline right for once. Bill shuffles housing right out of the deck and seems to want to ignore the problem.

    It will be an election issue but with no minister to answer questions it could be a big mistake.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2016/12/livestream-bill-english-s-new-cabinet-reveal.html

  9. Foreign waka 9
    18 December 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Mrs Bennett has now Women’s Affairs, State Services, Tourism, Police and Climate change. Apart from being the Deputy PM of cause.
    In other words, nothing will be done in those areas at all. Women will get a morality and self reliant speech, State Services – they have all their own managers anyway and one meeting a month to get some reassuring words that all is fine will do. On to the next – Tourism. Couples with the climate change and environmental issues she will have to pick up on some study of biology and climate science degree in a hurry if any competence in decision making is to come into play. Doubt that there is going to be more than head nodding going on. Police on the other hand will be tough and abdicating responsibility the only way to go so that she is not cut off the boys club.
    Good luck to her and whats more to NZ.
    The important issues such as Health, Social Welfare, Housing and Education have not got any attention at all. ???? Is this not what we pay our taxes for.

  10. riffer 10
    18 December 2016 at 5:35 pm

    One wonders if Mr English sees the irony of establishing an entirely new set of Woodhouse principles for ACC…

  11. Muttonbird 11
    18 December 2016 at 5:49 pm

    It is not looking good for double dipper.

    The normally subservient and gushing media have branded him as weak and tentative.

    Not a good start at all.

    What has he done of note? Dropped Collins and that is it. Bringing in another brown person to replace Sam is not leadership.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87697691/four-new-ministers-but-english-postpones-some-big-calls-till-may

    • Carolyn_nth 11.1
      18 December 2016 at 6:11 pm

      Oh dear! And this at the end of the article:

      The broadcasting portfolio has been disestablished and divided between communications on the one hand, and arts, culture and heritage on the other.

      Not enough for the sinking lid on funding to the state broadcaster RNZ – but now it’s being quietly shunted to the back door.

  12. Skinny 12
    18 December 2016 at 5:54 pm

    The new look of cabinet, what a 5th term back bencher, who had announced he was going to retire. Here is a beauty of David Bennett;

    https://youtu.be/d6GRMh80fuA

    • Muttonbird 12.1
      18 December 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Rejuvenation, apparently.

    • seeker 12.2
      19 December 2016 at 12:21 am

      @Skinny 5.54pm
      Thank you for posting this clip of Bennett. I was looking for it everywhere when I saw he had been promoted (and just when I thought he was going).
      It was one of the most deplorable things I have ever heard from an MP , someone who is meant to represent us.
      He basically said what Nats. seem to stand for……’I am here for me and not for you.’
      Heaven help the veterans.

  13. fustercluck 13
    18 December 2016 at 6:12 pm

    English’s new Cabinet and Ministers have some people with a fair bit of capability. The clown photoshop is pretty good, entertainment-wise. While there are still a few clowns jammed into the tiny car, to be sure, there are rising talents on the Right. The Left needs to play against these people carefully or get left in their very well-funded wake. Again.

    • billmurray 13.1
      18 December 2016 at 7:05 pm

      fustercluck in response to your post 6.08 pm. Well said.

      • Muttonbird 13.1.1
        18 December 2016 at 7:58 pm

        A minor error? You waded in from a ban claiming that Amy Adams held Auckland Central and had health problems, completely mistaking one minister of the crown with another.

        I apologise to those who have to read my brief but succinct takedown of billmurray who is a straight out troll and quite stupid to boot, but them’s the breaks on a free political forum.

  14. Red Hand 14
    18 December 2016 at 6:59 pm

    It looks like Coleman practiced medicine as a GP for about 15 years
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Coleman_(politician)
    This is an example of a flawed School of Medicine selection process. There will be a student who could have contributed an entire career as a doctor who missed out because Coleman was selected.
    Reminds me of another National Party stalwart Wayne Mapp, who accepted an A bursary he didn’t need, thereby depriving another student.

    • Sam C 14.1
      18 December 2016 at 7:13 pm

      Are you serious? So let me get this straight – you should only be allowed into med school if (aged18) you commit to being a doctor for the rest of your working life.

      Is that what you’re asserting? That’s fucking mental.

      • Red Hand 14.1.1
        18 December 2016 at 7:31 pm

        I mean five years of receiving hard won knowledge confers a duty to use it for the benefit of others.

        • Sam C 14.1.1.1
          18 December 2016 at 7:36 pm

          So 15 years as a GP, coupled with applying the knowledge you gained during that time to your role as Minister of Health, is not good enough for you?

          Go figure.

          What about lawyers who are only lawyers for 5 years, or accountants who are only accountants for 10? I’m very interested as to why you’re picking on Coleman.

          • Red Hand 14.1.1.1.1
            18 December 2016 at 7:46 pm

            Coleman did not learn the political and policy skills he needs as minister of Health at the School of Medicine, he learned how to assist each of his patients (until he decided to walk away). The selection process should be able to identify dropouts, don’t you think ?

            • Sam C 14.1.1.1.1.1
              18 December 2016 at 7:56 pm

              So someone who is a GP for 15 years is a dropout?

              That’s a weird world you exist in.

        • corokia 14.1.1.2
          18 December 2016 at 7:38 pm

          Is this just for doctors? What about other professions?

        • Robert Guyton 14.1.1.3
          18 December 2016 at 8:03 pm

          The Hippocratic oath requires those who swear it to “do no harm”.
          Can that be expected that a politician in the present National Government?
          And does second-hand smoke, kill?
          Close but no cigar.

        • DoublePlusGood 14.1.1.4
          19 December 2016 at 12:01 am

          So your entire life path is determined by a choice you make upon entering tertiary education? What the hell is this, sub-par young adult fiction?

  15. tc 15
    18 December 2016 at 6:59 pm

    Plenty of material to work with there.

    David Bennett should cop some attention just to see if he drops the guard and the born to rule arrogance gushes out.

    • gnomic 15.1
      19 December 2016 at 2:38 am

      Dave’s a dork. Utterly clueless despite a personal fortune in real estate and farming. He believes in perpetual growth of the ‘economy’, and no smartphones and tablets for all otherwise. However incredibly Dave the dimwit has a majority of 8k or so amongst the voters of Ham East; and as the augurs would say, as Hamilton goes, so goes the nation. The Nats can’t afford to lose either Hamilton seat. Guess they think the apparently more capable Tim Macindoe can win on his own merits in the West. The Labour Party hasn’t run anybody even vaguely electable in Hamilton East for yonks. Actually bringing Dave into the fringes of Cabinet smacks of desperation. The kitchen cabinet must be worried.

  16. wellfedweta 16
    18 December 2016 at 9:41 pm

    “Nick Smith has been protected by his old mate the PM although his portfolio has been cut in half with the social side given to Amy Adams. ”

    Nick Smith’s portfolio has not been ‘cut in half’. Amy Adam’s is simply picking up the ‘social side’ from Paula Bennett, who previously held the Social Housing portfolio. Nick Smith’s role title has changed from Minster of Building and Housing to Minister of Housing and Construction, but, apart from the name change, it appears he has retained exactly the same role he had previously.

  17. Ethica 17
    18 December 2016 at 10:36 pm

    No longer a Minister for Broadcasting or a Minister for Housing. Obviously means that neither are priorities.

    • wellfedweta 17.1
      19 December 2016 at 10:11 am

      There is a Minister of Housing. His name is Nick Smith, and his full title is Minister of Building and Housing.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1.1
        19 December 2016 at 10:15 am

        Dr Smith’s title has changed to Minister for Building and Construction.

        RNZ.

        Everything else you believe is wrong, too.

  18. Jenny 18
    19 December 2016 at 4:53 am

    The orphan portfolio

    Climate change ignoring is the new climate change denial.

    No mention anywhere that I could read, of which Minister is now responsible for the climate change portfolio.

    Under the status quo, the Minister responsible for this portfolio is Paula Bennet. Paula Bennet has been promoted to the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

    Will the Deputy PM now also be the Minister for climate change?

    I mean, we are only talking about the biggest issue of the century, here.

    Don’t get me wrong, personally I think it would be great if climate change was held by the deputy. It would reflect the importance of this portfolio.

    So is this the case?

    Does the Deputy PM retain the climate change portfolio?

    Or has it been palmed off to someone else?

    Or even worse, just simply forgotten about.

    • Carolyn_nth 18.1
      19 December 2016 at 7:55 am

      Nah – it’s still with the (now) DPM.

      List on a Bomber post

      I read a tweet that said the formatting on some site, reduced it to “Minister for Issues” – instead of Minister for Climate Change Issues.

      But what with State Services, Women, Police, and Tourism to minister – can’t imagine she’ll go out of her way for climate change.

  19. Cinny 19
    19 December 2016 at 11:37 am

    Paulas appears to have what i consider a massive workload. Can she handle it, will she be able to give all of those portfolios her ‘all’? Time will tell.

    Am completely underwhelmed at the reshuffle, old boys being looked after by English, no matter what the public sentiment is towards them, one thing I know for sure, many right wingers are very disappointed in Smith, keeping him in such roles in cabinet will lose them votes.

    Here’s a question for Nelson voters… what has Nick Smith really done for Nelson apart from photo ops and launch openings etc? Think hard, i am.

  20. Paul 20
    19 December 2016 at 3:20 pm

    Even Barry Soper thinks it’s useless.
    Calls it stagnation.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11769743

    • Sacha 20.1
      19 December 2016 at 4:06 pm

      “If Sam Lotu-Iiga, who’s moved on from Cabinet, was left savaged with the Corrections portfolio, Upston, given her performance or lack of it, will be dog tucker. ”

      ouch

  21. millsy 21
    19 December 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Paula Bennett’s gaining of the Police portfolio is a nice bit of red meat for the core vote.