January 22, 2013
Parata propped, Bridges boosted in Cabinet reshuffle
Embattled Education Minister Hekia Parata has retained her portfolio in today’s Cabinet reshuffle, despite her handling of a string of controversies including class sizes and closure of Christchurch schools.
She gets a new deputy, Auckland Central MP Nicki Kaye, who has been chairing the Education select Committee.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has been given the job of fixing up the Novapay teacher’s pay system from her previous deputy, Craig Foss.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges from Ngāti Maniapoto has been promoted Cabinet, taking on the Labour and Energy and Resources portfolios.
The big winner is Nelson MP Nick Smith, returning to Cabinet with the Housing and Conservation portfolios, while Prime Minister John Key has sent Phil Heatley and Kate Wilkinson back to the back benches.
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