Cup makes Mr Fixit role busier

By EUGENE BINGHAM

One of the cabinet's busiest ministers has been put in charge of ensuring the next America's Cup regatta runs smoothly for the Government.

Trevor Mallard was appointed Minister for the America's Cup in a minor cabinet rejig announced yesterday at the swearing-in of Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.

Mr Mallard is already the Minister of Education, of State Services and for Sport. He is also used as a Mr Fixit by the Prime Minister, brought in to help the Government through difficult issues.

Helen Clark said she wanted to ensure that the America's Cup was successfully managed and that the country benefited as much as it could. A single minister could coordinate the Government agencies involved.

Other changes to the cabinet lineup announced yesterday include the handing of responsibility for citizenship to Police Minister George Hawkins and the appointment of Phillida Bunkle as an Associate Minister of Conservation.

Mr Horomia slots into the number 12 ranking previously held by dumped minister Dover Samuels.

Helen Clark confirmed that members of Labour's Maori caucus had said they would not accept Mr Horomia taking a low cabinet ranking.

"I was certainly aware that they would be concerned if it had been number 20, but it wasn't my view that it should be number 20," she said.

"It's fair to say that we considered this an important portfolio.

"Therefore, it would not be appropriate for the person holding it to come in as the last cab on the rank at number 20."

America's Cup feature