Meka Whaitiri misses out on Nash's Cabinet spot, but is confirmed as Hawke's Bay Recovery Lead Minister
Meka Whaitiri, the Ikaroa- Rāwhiti MP and Minister outside Cabinet, has missed out on replacing Stuart Nash in Cabinet but has been confirmed as Lead Minister for the Hawke’s Bay Recovery.
Stuart Nash resigned as Police Minister last month after revealing he had phoned the Police Commissioner to offer him advice about a court case. He was given a final warning by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins but was then stripped of his other Cabinet portfolios late last month after further claims were made against him, including that he revealed details of a Cabinet meeting to two of his donors.
Nash, who had also been Lead Minister for the Hawke’s Bay Recovery, has since indicated that he will not stand for re-election to his Napier seat in the elections later this year. Whatiri was appointed interim Lead Minister and Hawke’s Bay App understands that she was hoping to be elevated into Cabinet.
However, in an announcement yesterday, Hipkins promoted Willow-Jean Prime, the Labour Northland MP and Minister of Conservation outside of Cabinet, to a full Cabinet position. The move resulted in a 50/50 gender balance in Cabinet for the first time in New Zealand’s history.
“Willow-Jean will move into the Cabinet at number 20. She retains her current portfolios. All other Ministerial rankings remain the same,” Hipkins said.
“In terms of the reallocation of Stuart Nash’s former portfolios, Peeni Henare will pick up Forestry and Barbara Edmonds will take on Economic Development. Meka Whaitiri will be the Ministerial Lead for the Hawke’s Bay cyclone recovery,” Hipkins said in the statement yesterday.
Hawke’s Bay App sent the Prime Minister’s Office questions relating to why Whaitiri was overlooked for a Cabinet role. In response, Hipkins’ Office sent a statement saying: “Meka Whaitiri is a valued member of the team and does a fantastic job across her portfolios and as the MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.”
“This is evidenced in her promotion of taking on the lead role for Hawke’s Bay Cyclone Recovery, which along with the cost of living is a key focus of the Government this year.”
“Meka is already part of the Extreme Weather Recovery Committee, which is overseeing the cyclone response and recovery, so Hawke’s Bay will have a strong voice in the decision-making process.”
Asked by Hawke’s Bay App if she was disappointed to miss out on a promotion to Cabinet, Whaitiri said in a statement: “Willow-Jean Prime is an incredibly hard worker and is well respected within the Labour caucus, she’ll do well in her new role. I’m especially proud to have 3 wāhine Māori around the Cabinet table to join our 3 tāne Māori.”
“With Rino Tirikatene and me joining the Labour Māori caucus as Ministers outside cabinet, we have a record breaking eight Māori Ministers, the most in New Zealand politics.”
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck into being the Ministerial Lead for the Hawke’s Bay cyclone recovery. As MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, I know the area well, and look forward to continue working alongside the communities in my electorate.”
Whaitiri is Minister of Customs, Food Safety and Veterans, all outside Cabinet. She first became a Minister outside Cabinet in 2017, but her ministerial responsibilities were removed by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after a staff member alleged Whaitiri had assaulted her.
Whaitiri was given ministerial responsibilities again after the 2020 elections.
Traditionally, the role of “ministers outside cabinet'” in New Zealand is usually given to Government ministers from the support parties in a coalition, but often members of the ruling party are also given the role. Ministers outside Cabinet are part of Cabinet committees and will regularly attend Cabinet meetings which concern their portfolios.
