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Download AudioFormer National MP Tau Henare says yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle looks like the start of the 2023 election campaign.
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden used the resignations of Speaker Trevor Mallard and minister Kris Faafoi to reallocate a number of portfolios.
Poto Williams was taken out of the Police hot seat, where she was facing mounting criticism after a spate of shootings and ram raids, and the job given to the dependable Chris Hipkins.
The high-performing Kiritapu Allen was given Mr Faafoi’s justice potfolio, and Willie Jackson picked up broadcasting and the task of overseeing the merger of Radio New Zealand and TVNZ, while also continuing to fight for a fairer deal for Maori media.
“This is the normal time parliament sort of changes its direction and hones in on what you have to do before the election. Now, there is a question – will she go early or will she go at the normal rate?” Mr Henare says.
He says the reshuffle is a sign politics is getting back to normal after the pandemic
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