Winston Peters takes on Disarmament and Arms Control portfolio as Jacinda Ardern tweaks her line-up

May 2, 2018
Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will be appointed to the reinstated Disarmament and Arms Control portfolio in portfolio changes announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this afternoon, which take effect today.

Ms Ardern had signalled the disarmament role for Mr Peters in a recent speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

"This portfolio is an acknowledgement of the emphasis this government places on our long-held anti-nuclear stance, and the role New Zealand must play now and in the future," the Prime Minister said today. 

Fletcher Tabuteau will be appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to assist Mr Peters in this new portfolio, she said.

Ms Ardern said she is also making several other minor changes to reflect the connection between various portfolios and workstreams.

Shane Jones will be appointed Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises.  

As Associate Minister, he will assist State Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peters with the detailed work in the portfolio, bringing the portfolio into alignment with his other ministerial responsibilities for Infrastructure and Regional Economic Development, Ms Ardern said.

Meka Whaitiri has been appointed Associate Minister of Forestry, assisting Shane Jones with the acquisition of land for the Government's one billion trees programme.

Damien O'Connor's Associate Ministerial role in the Trade and Export Growth portfolio will be retitled as Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth.

No material change has been made to the portfolio responsibilities in this area, with David Parker retaining principal responsibility for Trade and Export Growth matters, Ms Ardern said.

"The title change will better signal to Hon Damien O'Connor's international counterparts the nature and extent of his authority in international negotiations," she said.

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