WELLINGTON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the details of a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday that saw a team of three ministers put in place to advance the government’s housing plan.
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi will take on the portfolio of government digital services to complement his existing responsibilities in commerce, broadcasting, communications and digital media and joins a new team of housing ministers who will oversee the implementation of the government’s housing plan, Ardern said in a statement.
The prime minister announced that she put in place a team of three ministers to deliver the full breadth of the government housing plan, from KiwiBuild right through to tackling homelessness as “the range of challenges in fixing the housing crisis are too great for one minister.”
Megan Woods, the incumbent minister of energy and resources, greater Christchurch regeneration, and research, science and innovation, will become the minister of housing and will be dedicated to delivering the government’s house building program.
“Minister Woods will be joined by Kris Faafoi who, as associate minister of housing, will take responsibility for public housing, including state housing and tackling homelessness,” Ardern said, adding Phil Twyford, the current housing and urban development minister will remain in the housing team and share his extensive knowledge with the other ministers.
Ardern also announced other minster responsibility changes.
“This cabinet refresh means we will have a sharper focus on solving the housing crisis and ensures we are well placed to continue to deliver the changes we were elected to make,” she said.
