Health Minister Dr Shane Reti loses portfolio in PM Christopher Luxon’s latest reshuffle
Dr Shane Reti has lost the health portfolio to Simeon Brown in one of a series of changes Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made in his reshuffle, including demoting Melissa Lee and promoting James Meager.
In taking on health, Brown sheds the local government, transport and energy portfolios. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will pick up local government and energy while Chris Bishop has been given transport.
Reti declined an interview request but in a statement said he was informed of the change by Luxon yesterday. Reti, also a GP, said he respected the decision and would ensure a “constructive transition” to Brown.
Brown, also in a statement, thanked Reti for his “tireless work” in the portfolio while also highlighting the skills he would bring to the role.
“I’m not from the sector and I’m not a union organiser, I’m here as an advocate for everyday Kiwis who simply want timely, quality healthcare when they need it,” Brown said.
He cited timely access to GPs and surgical procedures as two of his priority issues.
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Reti 'respects' PM's decision
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Dumped Health Minister Shane Reti says he respects the Prime Minister’s decision.
"It has been my privilege to serve as Minister of Health," he said.
Reti has been replaced by Simeon Brown in the role and said he would work to ensure a smooth handover to his replacement.
"In an often-challenging environment over the past 12 months, key achievements I am particularly proud of include the game-changing delivery of cancer drugs announced in June, confirming an extension of the breast cancer screening age, and prioritising action around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.”
'Futile attempt': Labour responds
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Labour has branded National's reshuffle as a "futile attempt to turn around a failing Government".
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the changes were akin to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.
"The Government is failing miserably at managing health, economy, race relations, climate – you name it. A reshuffle isn’t going to change that."
Labour's health spokeswoman Ayesha Verrall said putting Brown in charge of health was another blow to New Zealanders' faith in the health system.
“Replacing Dr Shane Reti as Health Minister after only one year shows what a mess they’ve made of the health system.
“Dr Reti is a decent man who never stood a chance because of the budget he was given. Recruitment freezes, cuts to frontlines services and other budget cuts have left New Zealanders with little trust that they will get the care they need."
Verrall said this would only get worse under Brown, who would have to prove he cared about people "and not just roads".
Hipkins added that appointing Willis to economic growth begged the question of why she hadn't been focused on that all along.
“National’s reshuffle demonstrates what New Zealanders already know – that Christopher Luxon’s inexperience and inept leadership are taking New Zealand backwards."
'Amateur politics': Te Pāti Māori's reshuffle reaction
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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has labelled National’s latest Cabinet reshuffle as “amateur politics”, designed to distract from poor polling and failing policies "rather than addressing the growing health crisis facing Aotearoa“.
"This kind of reshuffle creates the illusion of action. But what it really represents is a government in survival mode, more concerned with its own fortunes than the challenges facing our people,” said Ngarewa-Packer.
“Rearranging people doesn’t fix policy failures. It’s a little more than moving deck chairs on a sinking ship. Where are the solutions to housing, healthcare, and the crippling cost-of-living pressures that whānau are struggling with every day?
“This Government has dismantled every transformational health solution. These changes show they are out of touch, ineffective, and focused on their own survival”, concluded Ngarewa-Packer.
Te Pāti Māori is calling on the Government to prioritise substantive, transformative policies grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and focused on delivering real change for all New Zealanders.
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'Dead wrong': Public Service Association reaction to reshuffle
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"If the Government thinks changing ministers will deliver better health and other public services for New Zealanders, it’s dead wrong."
That's the reaction from Public Service Association (PSA) acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
"The polls are showing New Zealanders are far from impressed with the Government’s rushed and reckless austerity agenda – they are seeing what it really means for them," she said.
"The cuts will cost lives; New Zealanders expect and deserve better.
"We wish the new ministers well, but their success will depend on their ability to secure increased funding for health and the public service, not more irresponsible cuts."
The PSA is New Zealand's largest union, representing more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Luxon said "there was a world awash with cash" and New Zealand now has a Government that was keen for foreign investment.
All his ministers were on board with the reshuffle and "ready to go", he said.
Luxon laughed off suggestions he himself could be subject to a reshuffle.
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Luxon said he did not have concerns about unity in his party. This was in response to the Herald revealing today that Shane Reti would be replaced as Health Minister.
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Simeon Brown was "fired up and ready to go" as Health Minister, Luxon said.
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Asked about Cabinet workloads, Luxon said he wasn't concerned that Judith Collins and Chris Bishop had too much work, with seven portfolios each.
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Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis speak to reporters at Premier House in Wellington.
'Cook with gas'
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Nicola Willis said her new Minister for Economic Growth role was about helping New Zealand "cook with gas".
There would be a new set of proposals announced later this week, she said.
Tough conversation with Reti
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Luxon confirmed he had spoken to Shane Reti about the reshuffle yesterday and told him he was losing health.
It was a tough conversation to have with a friend, but Reti was a class act and a team player, the PM said.
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Despite demoting her, Luxon said he hoped Melissa Lee would continue as an MP.
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New MP James Meager picks up responsibilities for the South Island.
"The South Island is a big driver about what this whole reshuffle is about, which is economic growth," Luxon said.
He defended the role and noted there was already a Minister for Auckland Issues.
Meager is a first-term MP and becomes a minister outside Cabinet, becoming Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Youth and the new Minister for the South Island.
'Ruthless focus'
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Simeon Brown's main concern now was a "ruthless focus on healthcare delivery", the PM said.
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Reti had made a "good contribution" as Health Minister, but Brown was the person to take that role forward, the PM said.
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Luxon said the Government has an exciting plan for the country that they will release more of during the next few days.
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Luxon said he had not lost confidence in Shane Reti as Health Minister, but the portfolio required Simeon Brown's skills of delivery.
'Growth, growth, growth'
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Luxon said today's reshuffle was spurred by the goal of "growth, growth, growth".
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Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis at the reshuffle announcement.
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Luxon said having a dedicated Minister for Economic Growth was important.
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WIllis said the green shoots of economic recovery were starting to show as inflation and interest rates came down.
"We are a Government with the courage to make changes required."
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Finance Minister Nicola Willis is also at the announcement and says she was delighted to have the PM's confidence to drive the New Zealand economy.
"Our plan is about more than simply getting through the recent economic downturn."
'Fresh focus, fresh team'
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Luxon is now speaking at Premier House in Wellington.
He says unleashing economic growth is "job number one" for the economy.
He said tariffs on more than 90% of exports to the UAE would be removed.
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Simeon Brown, left and Nicola Willis. Chris Bishop, right, is the new Transport Minister.
Other key changes: Melissa Lee pays the price for under-performance
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Luxon has described Simeon Brown as an "outstanding and diligent minister" who had delivered on the Government's priorities.
Brown also becomes the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises.
In other changes, Luxon has demoted Melissa Lee from his ministerial team, taking her economic development and ethnic communities portfolios off her with the latter being given to Mark Mitchell, who also picked up Sport and Recreation.
Last year, Lee was demoted from Cabinet and stripped of her media portfolio after struggling in her response to financial pressures within the sector.
Luxon today acknowledged Lee's contribution in Government and her work engaging with New Zealand's ethnic communities.
Nicola Willis handed more responsibility for economy
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Nicola Willis is the other winner in today’s reshuffle.
Her watch over the economy is expanded as she becomes Minister for Economic Growth (previously known as the economic development portfolio).
Willis is already Finance Minister.
Luxon said: “Her focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment. That will mean co-ordinating and strengthening efforts that are already underway to deliver economic growth – and taking responsibility for new initiatives designed to promote growth and productivity in the New Zealand economy.
“In 2024, Nicola did a fantastic job delivering tax relief for hardworking Kiwis and restoring a culture of fiscal discipline – with New Zealanders now seeing the benefits in the form of lower inflation and interest rates. In 2025, I’m confident she will bring that same focus and dedication to the task of unleashing Kiwi businesses to grow at pace," Luxon said.
Shane Reti loses Health Minister role, replaced by Simeon Brown
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Shane Reti has been dumped as Health Minister and is replaced by Simeon Brown.
Luxon said health was a “priority area” for the Government.
He said Reti had “worked hard to reset the culture and performance of Health NZ”, which was no heading in a much better direction.
“But I have also heard Kiwis’ concerns that they expect to see even more progress – ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it. To deliver on that expectation, I have decided Simeon Brown will become Minister of Health.
“Simeon is an outstanding and diligent minister who has done an excellent job delivering on the Government’s priorities. Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.”
Reti has been handed a new role with responsibility for universities and the science sector.
Simeon Brown was already carrying a heavy workload before being handed the Health Minister role.
Chris Bishop will relieve Brown as Transport Minister.
Shane Reti's reckoning
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Reti has been an MP since 2014, when he became the first Māori MP to win the Whangārei seat, which he held from 2014 to 2020 and won again in 2023.
He is currently the Minister of Health and also Minister for Pacific Peoples.
Reti, 61, is a trained doctor. His medical career began in family medicine and dermatology in Whangārei where he practiced for 16 years.
He also served three terms on the board of the Northland DHB.
He is currently ranked fourth in Cabinet, but if he is to be stripped of the health portfolio he is likely to fall down the rankings.
Nervous day for National ministers
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Today will be the PM's first major reshuffle since forming his Government in December 2023.
Luxon has previously had to switch portfolio responsibilities of some of the ministers outside Cabinet because of mistakes – including Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds, over the latter’s mishandling of disability funding. Andrew Bayly has also come under fire for his behaviour to a worker at a winery last year.
Lee, Ethnic Affairs and Economic Development Minister, was stripped of the broadcasting portfolio and demoted after struggling to respond to the difficulties faced by the media – including the closure of Newshub and cuts at TVNZ.
Today's reshuffle only relates to National ministers – it will not impact on coalition partners NZ First and Act.
PM's pain points
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Christopher Luxon’s changes are expected to be in the twin challenges of the health and economic areas.
The PM has made it clear he sees the problematic health sector as one of the Government’s biggest challenges. While Shane Reti has a background in health (he is a trained doctor), there has long been speculation he would be replaced by someone with sharper political management skills as the health sector faced major deficits and governance issues.
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Luxon today said health as a “priority area” and acknowledged Reti’s work to “reset the culture and performance of Health NZ”.
“It was critical to establish targets and refresh their leadership – and I am confident the organisation is heading in a much better direction than it was when we entered office,” he said.
“But I have also heard Kiwis’ concerns that they expect to see even more progress, ensuring they can access the care they need, when they need it. To deliver on that expectation, I have decided Simeon Brown will become Minister of Health.
Luxon described Brown as an “outstanding and diligent minister” who had delivered on the Government’s priorities.
“Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.”
Brown would also become the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, taking over from Paul Goldsmith. Reti would take on a new role as Minister for Universities, alongside his other portfolios.
Labour’s health spokeswoman Dr Ayesha Verrall described Reti as a “decent man” but one who was unable to ease pressures within the health sector with the budget he was given.
“Recruitment freezes, cuts to frontline services and other budget cuts have left New Zealanders with little trust that they will get the care they need.”
She predicted it was “only going to get worse” with Brown as the minister, saying he would have to show he cared about “people and not just roads”.
In other changes, Luxon has demoted Melissa Lee from his ministerial team, taking her economic development and ethnic communities portfolios off her, with the latter being given to Mark Mitchell, who also picks up sport and recreation.
Last year, Lee was demoted from Cabinet and stripped of her media portfolio after struggling in her response to financial pressures within the sector.
In his statement, Luxon acknowledged Lee’s contribution in Government and her work engaging with New Zealand’s ethnic communities.
Lee’s economic development portfolio had morphed into economic growth, which has been given to Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
“[Willis'] focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment,” Luxon said.
“That will mean co-ordinating and strengthening efforts that are already under way to deliver economic growth – and taking responsibility for new initiatives designed to promote growth and productivity in the New Zealand economy.”
The public service portfolio shifted from Willis to Judith Collins.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston also gained new roles, taking on tourism and hospitality from Matt Doocey, who also lost ACC to Andrew Bayly. Upston would also become Deputy Leader of the House under Bishop.
In changes to ministers outside of Cabinet, Chris Penk would become Small Business and Manufacturing Minister, taking over from Bayly.
Luxon had also promoted justice select committee chairman James Meager, giving the Rangitata MP the new title of Minister for the South Island alongside the youth and hunting and fishing portfolios, as well as an associate transport role.
Meager admitted he was “a bit gobsmacked” to hear of his promotion, receiving a call from Luxon while attending yesterday’s Black Clash cricket event in Christchurch.
“I had to find a corner for a while and actually download and take on board what the Prime Minister had asked me to take on, but I was incredibly proud and incredibly privileged to be able to join the PM’s team.”
He said he would be discussing with Luxon the priorities of the South Island portfolio in the coming weeks but said he was hoping to boost his travel to speak with more South Island residents.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed Luxon’s decision to make the “most junior minister” responsible for the South Island showed the Government’s “utter contempt” for the mainland.
He also derided Willis’ new economic portfolio: “Giving Nicola Willis a new portfolio of ‘economic growth’ begs the question of why she hasn’t been focused on that all along. What Minister of Finance doesn’t focus on economic growth?”
Bishop told the Herald he was “really delighted” to take on transport as it integrated well with his work in the infrastructure space.
Now with seven portfolios to his name, Bishop said he wasn’t concerned about his workload.
“My approach is just head down, bum up ... it’s a privilege to serve.”
As a keen sports enthusiast, Bishop admitted he was a “little bit disappointed” to lose the Sport and Recreation portfolio, but accepted that “you can’t do everything”.
Asked about Reti’s demotion, Bishop acknowledged it was “tough” but maintained Reti had done a “very good job” setting the foundations for the Government’s work in health.
Bishop, National’s campaign chairman in 2023, wouldn’t offer a view on what difference the new South Island portfolio might have on the party’s chances in the 2026 election, referring the matter to Luxon.
Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.