NZ ministerial reshuffle sees Macindoe take Customs, with English ‘bolstered’
- News Feed
- Wednesday, 26 April 2017
A MINISTERIAL reshuffle in NZ on the eve of Anzac Day delivered not only a new Defence minister to undertake ceremonial duties on the morrow but also a newly-minted minister of Customs in Tim Macindoe.
Fortuitously, he also picked up the associate Transport portfolio.
The reshuffle was triggered by the imminent retirement of senior ministers Murray McCully and Hekia Parata, both of whom had stayed in their positions to ensure a smooth handover to their successors.
The strategy appears to have worked well and has bolstered pm Bill English, who had a tough challenge taking over from the highly-popular John Key after his bombshell decision to retire.
Hamilton-based Macindoe is a former chairman of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee and has been the National Party's senior whip since the 2014 selection. He has an impressive CV, including a stint as deputy principal of a major private school, and could be destined for greater things if National returns to power in the election scheduled for September 23.
Macindoe said on his Facebook page he was honoured by the ministerial appointment. ìIíve been given three areas which are all of genuine interest, huge challenges and opportunities, and I am delighted to work in all three of them.î
Customs was an area he had been interested in for a long time, he pointed out.
"It is hugely important for the country given that we are a trading nation, and we need to ensure that our borders are secure and we are working collaboratively with other agencies to protect what's coming into the country."
Simon Bridges remains as the lead minister for Transport. He solidified his position in the reshuffle, gaining additional responsibilities as leader of the house. That was inherited from Gerry Brownlee (himself a former transport minister), who has been made foreign minister and is #4 in the power rankings.
Ranked #5, Bridges also has Economic Development, Communications and associate Finance portfolios.
Macindoeís predecessor as Customs minister, Nicky Wagner, picked up another of Brownleeís roles as minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration.
This post-earthquake job is a difficult and contentious one but Christchurch-based Wagner is seen as a safe pair of hands, partly for having shepherded through the trade single window and other customs advances on her watch (reported in a separate story this issue).
Wagner remains outside cabinet for now but at the top of the outer circle ranks. She also has a slew of other portfolios to deal with.
