Goff changes shadow Cabinet and portfolios

Labour leader Phil Goff. File photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour Leader Phil Goff has today announced changes to his party's shadow Cabinet line-up.

The reshuffle follows the departure of Helen Clark and Michael Cullen and the return of Damien O'Connor to Parliament.

Chris Carter will take over the role of opposition spokesman on foreign affairs and Trevor Mallard has been given Labour's education portfolio.

"Chris' track record as a strong Minister of Ethnic Affairs and his excellent knowledge interest and international contacts will stand him in good stead to take on that role," Phil Goff said.

"Trevor Mallard will return to Labour's front bench to take over as Labour's education spokesperson. Trevor is an experienced and effective Opposition MP. He is ideal for the job and well respected in the sector given his previous role as Minister of Education and his intimate knowledge of Education.

Mr Goff said Shane Jones would take on the Economic Development and Environment portfolios.

Meanwhile, Nanaia Mahuta has moved back from the front bench and stepped down as environment spokesperson for personal reasons.

"Labour will keep the pressure on John Key and his Government to ensure that the concerns of hardworking Kiwis are being taken seriously," Mr Goff said.

"As I said last year after taking over the leadership, I will be revisiting portfolio allocations in a year's time."

Labour's shadow Cabinet and wider portfolio allocations as at May 2009

New responsibilities shown in bold.

1. Phil Goff Leader
SIS
2. Annette King Deputy Leader
Social Development
3. David Cunliffe
Finance
4. Ruth Dyson
Health
5. Parekura Horomia
Maori Affairs
Fisheries
6. Clayton Cosgrove
Law & Order (including Police & Corrections)
SOEs
Assoc. Finance
7. Chris Carter
Foreign Affairs
Ethnic Affairs
8. Maryan Street
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Trade
Tertiary Education
9. Darren Hughes
Shadow Leader of the House
Chief Whip
Transport
10.David Parker
Conservation
Shadow Attorney-General
Electoral Reform
ACC
Assoc. Finance
11.Shane Jones
Economic Development
Environment
12.Trevor Mallard
Education
Rugby World Cup
America's Cup
Labour
13.Nanaia Mahuta
Maori Social Development
14.Lianne Dalziel
Justice
Commerce
15.Charles Chauvel
Assoc. Justice
Climate Change
Energy
Assoc. Commerce
16.Pete Hodgson
Immigration
Defence
17.Winnie Laban
Spokesperson Interfaith Dialogue
Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Health (Aged Care)
Assoc. Economic Development
18.Moana Mackey
Housing
Research & Development
Science & Technology
19.Steve Chadwick
Arts Culture and Heritage
Junior Whip
20.Sue Moroney
Women's Affairs
Education - ECE
21.Rick Barker
Courts
Veterans Affairs
22.Ross Robertson
Small Business
Senior Citizens
Racing
Assoc. Disarmament & Arms Control
23.George Hawkins
Local Government
24.Damien O'Connor Rural Affairs
Biosecurity
Assoc Agriculture
25.Mita Ririnui
Forestry,
Assoc. Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
26.Lynne Pillay
Disability Issues
Assoc. Justice - Victims Rights
27.Ashraf Choudhary
Assoc. Research and Development
Food Safety
Agricultural Science
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
28.Darien Fenton Transport Safety
Assoc. Labour
29.Su'a William Sio Customs
Assoc. Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Local Government

2008 intake in alphabetical order:

30.Jacinda Ardern
Youth Affairs
Assoc. Justice - Youth Justice
31.Carol Beaumont
Consumer Affairs
Assoc. Labour
32.Brendon Burns
Broadcasting
Assoc. Environment - Water Quality
33.Clare Curran
Communications & IT
34.Kelvin Davis
Tourism
Assoc Maori Affairs
Assoc Education
35.Chris Hipkins
Sport and Recreation
Internal Affairs
Assoc. Energy
36.Raymond Huo
Law Commission
Statistics
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
37.Iain Lees-Galloway
Land Information
Assoc. Defence
Assoc. Health - Drugs & Alcohol
38.Stuart Nash
Revenue
Assoc. Trade, Assoc. Forestry
39.Rajen Prasad Voluntary & Community Sector
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
Assoc. Social Development - Family & CYF
40.Grant Robertson State Services
Assoc. Arts, Culture & Heritage
Assoc. Foreign Affairs
41.Carmel Sepuloni Civil Defence
Assoc. Tertiary Education
Assoc. Social Development
42.Phil Twyford
Disarmament & Arms Control
Auckland Issues
Assoc. Foreign Affairs - Development Assistance

Progressive Leader Jim Anderton - Agriculture