New NZ Customs minister is well- known for Canterbury rebuild aid
Cargo Archive Stories #231
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Nicky Wagner (left), who represents a Christchurch electorate, has become New Zealand’s minister of Customs, replacing veteran Maurice Williamson who was forced to resign because of an ethics breach.
Widely praised for her work in supporting the complex Christchurch rebuild, Wagner’s new portfolios also include associate minister for Canterbury earthquake recovery.
Like Williamson, she is a minister outside cabinet. Wagner is expected to move into cabinet in the next parliamentary term should the National Party led by PM John Key return to power.
Williamson was to some extent caught up in the tension building prior to this year’s national election in late September. Various allegations have been made about ministers, but he is the only one to fall. His sin was to ask the police about a domestic violence prosecution involving a mega-rich Chinese investor who had made a donation to the National Party.
The opposition Labour Party, which has this year languished low in the polls under its latest leader David Cunliffe, its third since the latest election in 2011, has also reshuffled its (shadow) cabinet.
This has seen Auckland MP Phil Twyford move to the front bench, adding the Transport portfolio to his responsibilities.
Twyford lost the transport portfolio last year in a demotion seen as punishment for his support of Grant Robertson in the bitter battle for leadership, now undertaken though a primary structure involving votes from members and unions as well as Caucus.
The Labour reshuffle was triggered by the resignation of Shane Jones, a high-flyer who also bid last year for the leadership. He was head hunted by the government to become a roving ambassador in the Pacific Islands region, focusing primarily on the development of commercial fishing and fish exports, including freight aspects.
New NZ Customs minister is well- known for Canterbury rebuild aid
Cargo Archive Stories #231
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Nicky Wagner (left), who represents a Christchurch electorate, has become New Zealand’s minister of Customs, replacing veteran Maurice Williamson who was forced to resign because of an ethics breach.
Widely praised for her work in supporting the complex Christchurch rebuild, Wagner’s new portfolios also include associate minister for Canterbury earthquake recovery.
Like Williamson, she is a minister outside cabinet. Wagner is expected to move into cabinet in the next parliamentary term should the National Party led by PM John Key return to power.
Williamson was to some extent caught up in the tension building prior to this year’s national election in late September. Various allegations have been made about ministers, but he is the only one to fall. His sin was to ask the police about a domestic violence prosecution involving a mega-rich Chinese investor who had made a donation to the National Party.
The opposition Labour Party, which has this year languished low in the polls under its latest leader David Cunliffe, its third since the latest election in 2011, has also reshuffled its (shadow) cabinet.
This has seen Auckland MP Phil Twyford move to the front bench, adding the Transport portfolio to his responsibilities.
Twyford lost the transport portfolio last year in a demotion seen as punishment for his support of Grant Robertson in the bitter battle for leadership, now undertaken though a primary structure involving votes from members and unions as well as Caucus.
The Labour reshuffle was triggered by the resignation of Shane Jones, a high-flyer who also bid last year for the leadership. He was head hunted by the government to become a roving ambassador in the Pacific Islands region, focusing primarily on the development of commercial fishing and fish exports, including freight aspects.
Nicky Wagner (left), who represents a Christchurch electorate, has become New Zealand’s minister of Customs, replacing veteran Maurice Williamson who was forced to resign because of an ethics breach.
