Dr Shane Reti has lost the health portfolio to Simeon Brown in one of a series of changes Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made in his reshuffle, including demoting Melissa Lee and promoting James Meager.
In taking on health, Brown sheds the local government, transport and energy portfolios. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will pick up local government and energy while Chris Bishop has been given transport.
Reti declined an interview request but in a statement said he was informed of the change by Luxon yesterday. Reti, also a GP, said he respected the decision and would ensure a “constructive transition” to Brown.
Brown, also in a statement, thanked Reti for his “tireless work” in the portfolio while also highlighting the skills he would bring to the role.
“I’m not from the sector and I’m not a union organiser, I’m here as an advocate for everyday Kiwis who simply want timely, quality healthcare when they need it,” Brown said.
He cited timely access to GPs and surgical procedures as two of his priority issues.
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Luxon today said health as a “priority area” and acknowledged Reti’s work to “reset the culture and performance of Health NZ”.
“It was critical to establish targets and refresh their leadership – and I am confident the organisation is heading in a much better direction than it was when we entered office,” he said.
“But I have also heard Kiwis’ concerns that they expect to see even more progress, ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it. To deliver on that expectation, I have decided Simeon Brown will become Minister of Health.
Luxon described Brown as an “outstanding and diligent minister” who had delivered on the Government’s priorities.
“Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.”
Brown would also become the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, taking over from Paul Goldsmith. Reti would take on a new role as Minister for Universities, alongside his other portfolios.
Labour’s health spokeswoman Dr Ayesha Verrall described Reti as a “decent man” but one who was unable to ease pressures within the health sector with the budget he was given.
“Recruitment freezes, cuts to frontline services and other budget cuts have left New Zealanders with little trust that they will get the care they need.”
She predicted it was “only going to get worse” with Brown as the minister, saying he would have to show he cared about “people and not just roads”.
In other changes, Luxon has demoted Melissa Lee from his ministerial team, taking her economic development and ethnic communities portfolios off her, with the latter being given to Mark Mitchell, who also picks up sport and recreation.
Last year, Lee was demoted from Cabinet and stripped of her media portfolio after struggling in her response to financial pressures within the sector.
In his statement, Luxon acknowledged Lee’s contribution in Government and her work engaging with New Zealand’s ethnic communities.
Lee’s economic development portfolio had morphed into economic growth, which has been given to Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
“[Willis'] focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment,” Luxon said.
“That will mean co-ordinating and strengthening efforts that are already under way to deliver economic growth – and taking responsibility for new initiatives designed to promote growth and productivity in the New Zealand economy.”
The public service portfolio shifted from Willis to Judith Collins.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston also gained new roles, taking on tourism and hospitality from Matt Doocey, who also lost ACC to Andrew Bayly. Upston would also become Deputy Leader of the House under Bishop.
In changes to ministers outside of Cabinet, Chris Penk would become Small Business and Manufacturing Minister, taking over from Bayly.
Luxon had also promoted justice select committee chairman James Meager, giving the Rangitata MP the new title of Minister for the South Island alongside the youth and hunting and fishing portfolios, as well as an associate transport role.
Meager admitted he was “a bit gobsmacked” to hear of his promotion, receiving a call from Luxon while attending yesterday’s Black Clash cricket event in Christchurch.
“I had to find a corner for a while and actually download and take on board what the Prime Minister had asked me to take on, but I was incredibly proud and incredibly privileged to be able to join the PM’s team.”
He said he would be discussing with Luxon the priorities of the South Island portfolio in the coming weeks but said he was hoping to boost his travel to speak with more South Island residents.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed Luxon’s decision to make the “most junior minister” responsible for the South Island showed the Government’s “utter contempt” for the mainland.
He also derided Willis’ new economic portfolio: “Giving Nicola Willis a new portfolio of ‘economic growth’ begs the question of why she hasn’t been focused on that all along. What Minister of Finance doesn’t focus on economic growth?”
Bishop told the Herald he was “really delighted” to take on transport as it integrated well with his work in the infrastructure space.
Now with seven portfolios to his name, Bishop said he wasn’t concerned about his workload.
“My approach is just head down, bum up ... it’s a privilege to serve.”
As a keen sports enthusiast, Bishop admitted he was a “little bit disappointed” to lose the Sport and Recreation portfolio, but accepted that “you can’t do everything”.
Asked about Reti’s demotion, Bishop acknowledged it was “tough” but maintained Reti had done a “very good job” setting the foundations for the Government’s work in health.
Bishop, National’s campaign chairman in 2023, wouldn’t offer a view on what difference the new South Island portfolio might have on the party’s chances in the 2026 election, referring the matter to Luxon.
Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.
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