Shane Reti has lost the Health portfolio following a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Sunday.
Simeon Brown will now take over the challenging portfolio, which has faced delays in cancer drug rollouts, severe budget blowouts, and critical staff shortages.
Reti, a practising GP from Whangārei and Ngāti Wai, struggled to transition from hands-on work to governance, failing to restructure the dysfunctional culture within the Ministry of Health.
Reti will be remembered for overseeing the disbanding of Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, and a budget overrun of $934 million.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged Reti’s disappointment but praised his professionalism, calling him a “class act.”
However, Luxon emphasized the need for a new approach in Health:
“What we need is the skills that Simeon Brown brings, which is delivery and execution. Simeon’s track record in Transport, delivering on those priorities is what we really need now,” says Luxon.
Reti has also been relegated five spots in cabinet rankings and will now oversee Science, Innovation, and Technology, previously held by Judith Collins.
He will also take on Statistics and Universities, separated from the wider tertiary portfolio, which remains under Penny Simmonds as Minister for Vocational Education.
Other Changes in the Cabinet Reshuffle:
- Nicola Willis: Takes on the newly created role of Minister for Economic Growth, absorbing the Economic Development portfolio from Melissa Lee.
- James Meager: First-term MP for Rangitata, now a minister outside Cabinet, becomes Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Youth, and the newly created Minister for the South Island.
- Melissa Lee: Stripped of all portfolios, with Ethnic Affairs going to Mark Mitchell and Economic Development to Nicola Willis.
Other Portfolio Reassignments:
- Chris Bishop: Now Minister for Transport.
- Simon Watts: Gains Energy and Local Government.
- Mark Mitchell: Picks up Ethnic Communities.
- Chris Penk: Takes over Small Business and Manufacturing.
- Andrew Bayly: Becomes Minister for ACC.
- Louise Upston: Takes Tourism.
- Matt Doocey: Retains Mental Health and Associate Health but loses ACC, Tourism, and Youth.
No changes were made to ACT and New Zealand First ministerial roles.
