Greens reshuffle gives James Shaw economic development, Turei housing

The Green Party has reshuffled its portfolio allocations, giving new co-leader James Shaw the economic development and climate change roles held by Russel Norman, whom he replaced, and elevates housing issues to the top of the Greens' agenda by adding that portfolio to co-leader Metiria Turei's patch, along with a newly named inequality portfolio and responsibility for Maori issues.

The reshuffle keeps intact the previous rankings of Green MPs, except to the extent that Shaw moves from 12th in the 14-member caucus, but leaves Norman at number three with responsibility for trade and national intelligence and security. The latter covers what was previously called the defence portfolio, along with spy agencies, and previously held by former diplomat and now eighth-ranked MP Kennedy Graham.

It also rationalises the total number of portfolios from 77 to 51 by ditching a few and consolidating agriculture, fisheries and forestry into a new primary industries portfolio, which is to be held by fifth-ranked MP Eugenie Sage, who also picks up the environment portfolio from Julie Genter. The intention is to match portfolios more closely to those designated by the current government, "which will help us to hold ministers to account," said Turei and Shaw in a statement.

"The primary industries are a core part of the New Zealand economy and provide some of the most exciting opportunities to transition our economy into a smarter, cleaner future," said Shaw. The previously named agriculture portfolio had been held by the lowest ranked Green MP, Steffan Browning, who is assigned organics, genetic engineering, bio-security, pesticides and food safety, the latter previously held by Mojo Mathers.

Genter picks up the finance portfolio, previously part of Norman's economics portfolio role, with responsibility for tax and state-owned enterprises.

Sage also picks up Canterbury Earthquake Recovery and the Earthquake Commission, neither of which were previously designated as portfolios.

Graham retains foreign affairs, veterans affairs and senior citizens portfolios, relinquishing local government to Jan Logie, while Mathers adds the commerce portfolio to her previous responsibility for consumer affairs and disability issues.

The other main contender for the co-leadership after Norman decided to resign the role, Kevin Hague, retains health and rainbow issues, while picking up conservation, which was previously held by Sage.

Dave Clendon remains the Greens' 'musterer', the party's name for the parliamentary Whip, and picks up the tourism and small business portfolios previously held by Shaw, while retaining responsibility for corrections, courts and police.

Turei previously held a child poverty brief, which is dropped in favour of a new inequality portfolio.

(BusinessDesk)