First term MP Steven Joyce has been given another ministerial portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister John Key this afternoon.While his star is rising, that cannot be said for Anne Tolley whose Tertiary Education Minister portfolio Mr
First term MP Steven Joyce has been given another ministerial portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister John Key this afternoon.
While his star is rising, that cannot be said for Anne Tolley whose Tertiary Education Minister portfolio Mr Joyce picks up.
Mr Key said today's changes were aimed at ensuring strong focus in key portfolios over the year ahead.
Mrs Tolley retains the education portfolio and will look after implementing controversial national standards.
Kate Wilkinson takes on Tim Groser's conservation portfolio. She is currently associate minister.
"This change reflects the fact that Tim Groser is frequently out of the country representing New Zealand's interests in the trade and climate change fields," Mr Key said.
Mr Groser, because he has primary ministerial responsibility for the international negotiations aspects of climate change, has a change in title and will now be Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations.
"More than a year into this parliamentary term, I am very pleased with how ministers are working, both individually in their portfolios and together in Cabinet," Mr Key said.
"These changes will help ensure that the Government continues its progress towards implementing key election policies such as national standards in literacy and numeracy.
"I want to thank Mrs Tolley and Mr Groser for their contribution in the portfolios that today they are handing over to colleagues. In both tertiary education and conservation, they leave sound foundations for their successors to build on."
Changes are effective from tomorrow. There were no changes to rankings.
