MPI job cuts 'won't disrupt organisational structure'
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy retained his portfolio in the new Cabinet unveiled by Prime Minister Bill English yesterday.
Guy was one of a handful of Ministers retaining their existing responsibilities; he keeps Primary Industries and Racing.
Prime Minister English, who took over the helm of the National-led Government after the sudden resignation of John Key, says his new Cabinet line-up builds on the success of the last eight years and provides new ideas and energy heading into election year.
“Over the last eight years National has provided a strong and stable Government which is delivering strong results for New Zealanders,” says English.
“This refreshed Ministerial team builds on that success and provides a mix of new people, alongside experienced Ministers either continuing their roles or taking up new challenges.
“This new Ministry is focused on providing prosperity, opportunity and security for all Kiwis, including the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will remain the Minister of State Services and Climate Change Issues and will pick up the Police, Women and Tourism portfolios.
Steven Joyce will pick up Finance and Infrastructure, while Gerry Brownlee will remain the Leader of the House and retain Supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Defence, and the Earthquake Commission portfolios. He will also be appointed as the Minister of Civil Defence.
Big winners, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have picked up additional senior ministerial responsibilities.
Bridges continues as the Minister of Transport and will pick up the Economic Development and Communications portfolios and Associate Finance, while Adams retains Justice, Courts and picks up Social Housing, Social Investment and Associate Finance. Adams will take a lead role in driving the Government’s social investment approach.
“Simon and Amy are two high performing Ministers who are ready to take on more responsibility. I am confident they will work well with Finance Minister Steven Joyce,” says English.
Jonathan Coleman continues in his Health and Sport and Recreation portfolios, and will play an important role on the front bench.
There are four new Ministers. Alfred Ngaro who goes straight into Cabinet and Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett who have been promoted to Ministerial positions outside Cabinet.
Judith Collins takes on new responsibilities in Revenue, Energy and Resources and Ethnic Communities, and is well placed to oversee the significant business transformation work occurring.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…