Leisure related portfolios announced in ‘incredibly diverse’ New Zealand cabinet

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced what she called an “incredibly diverse” cabinet, promising to prioritise economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

Following her landslide win in last month’s general election, Prime Minister Arden has announced that Grant Robertson will be the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister, the first openly gay person to hold the position while retaining the Finance and Sport and Recreation portfolios.

Treasurer Robertson has also be appointed as Minister for Racing, a role previously held by NZ First leader Winston Peters, but amid calls for the position to be abolished and wrapped into the Sport and Recreation portfolio, and for the new Cabinet to put a focus on improving our country's appalling record on animal welfare."

Prime Minister Ardern, who formed the first single-party government since New Zealand moved to its proportional representation system in 1996, also named Stuart Nash (pictured below) as Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Small Business and Minister of Tourism.

Minister Nash’s appointment as Minister of Tourism has been welcomed Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) and Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ).

CINZ Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins says the business events industry is looking forward to working with Minister Nash and having direct dialogue on the role this sector will have in supporting New Zealand’s economic recovery.

Hopkins advised “business events are a significant part of tourism and we were the first to feel the impact of the global pandemic with the cancellation of large gatherings and border controls.

“The appointment of a senior Minister signifies the relevance and importance of the broader tourism sector to New Zealand’s recovery.

“Additionally, Minister Nash takes on the portfolios of Economic and Regional Development and Small Business, which will support the multitude of small businesses who are at the very heart of the sector.”

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts welcomed the tourism portfolio staying with a senior Minister, stated “tourism was the first industry to be hit by the pandemic and will be the last to recover. This requires a team effort and we look forward to working with Mr Nash to build a sustainable tourism industry that benefits New Zealanders.”

Advising that tourism also complements Minister Nash’s new portfolio of Economic and Regional Development, Roberts added “tourism will be a key driver of regional recovery from the pandemic recession.”

Prime Minister Ardern retains the role of Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage while Kiri Allan was named - Minister of Conservation, Minister for Emergency Management, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Associate Minister for the Environment.

New Zealand’s new Cabinet.

• Jacinda Ardern - Prime Minister, Minister for National Security and Intelligence, Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
• Grant Robertson - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Racing and Minister for Sport and Recreation.
• Kelvin Davis - Minister for Maori Crown Relations, Minister for Children, Minister of Corrections, and Associate Minister of Education (Maori Education).
• Megan Woods - Minister of Housing, Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister of Research, Science and Innovation and Associate Minister of Finance.
• Chris Hipkins - Minister for COVID-19 Response, Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Service, and also Leader of the House.
• Carmel Sepuloni - Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for ACC, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Disability Issues.
• Andrew Little - Minister of Health, Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and also Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry.
• David Parker - Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister of Revenue, and Associate Minister of Finance.
• Nanaia Mahuta - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Local Government and Associate Minister for Maori Development.
• Poto Williams - Minister for Building and Construction, Minister of Police, Associate Minister for Children and Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing).
• Damien O'Connor - Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Land Information, Minister for Rural Communities, and Minister for Trade and Export Growth.
• Stuart Nash - Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Small Business and Minister of Tourism.
• Kris Faafoi - Minister of Justice, Minister for Broadcasting and Media and Minister of Immigration.
• Peeni Henare - Minister of Defence, Minister for Whanau Ora, Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health), Associate Minister of Housing (Maori Housing), and Associate Minister of Tourism.
• Willie Jackson - Minister for Maori Development, Associate Minister for ACC, and Associate Minister of Justice.
• Jan Tinetti - Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Education.
Michael Wood - Minister of Transport, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety and also Deputy Leader of the House.
• Kiri Allan - Minister of Conservation, Minister for Emergency Management, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Associate Minister for the Environment.
• David Clark - Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister of Statistics and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission.
• Ayesha Verrall - Minister for Food Safety, Minister for Seniors, Associate Minister of Health, and Associate Minister of Research, Science and Innovation.