Kris Faafoi, Trevor Mallard to quit Parliament sparking big Labour reshuffle

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi will step down from Parliament, as will speaker of the house Trevor Mallard, sparking a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced changes to a number of portfolios, including taking the police portfolio off Poto Williams, and handing it to Chris Hipkins.

“Minister Faafoi has decided to leave Parliament to spend time with his family as his youngest son starts school,” Ardern said in the Beehive on Monday.

“This was a decision Kris shared with me at the election, in fact he wanted to leave 18 months ago, but I asked him to give us another year.”

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Michael Wood, Kiri Allan and Willie Jackson will pick up his immigration, justice and broadcasting portfolios, respectively.

Allan will also pick up an associate finance role.

“She has a big future in front of her,” Ardern said.

Trevor Mallard will step down as speaker in mid-August to take a diplomatic role in Europe. Ardern said he had been “deliberately” moving Adrian Rurawhe into the role.

Ardern said Poto Williams was a capable minister and kept her confidence. She picks up conservation and disability issues

“That is why she is in Cabinet, but change is required.”

As the new Police Minister, Chris Hipkins will co-lead a youth justice ministerial team. Jan Tinetti will pick up the Education portfolio, she is now associate education minister.

Ayesha Verrall will pick up the Covid-19 portfolio.

Priyanka Radhakrishnan will move into Cabinet.

Kieran McAnulty becomes a minister outside of Cabinet with a specific focus on regional issues, she said. Duncan Webb replaces McAnulty as Chief Whip. Meka Whaitiri picks up the food safety portfolio.

Ardern said she didn’t consider the changes to be “overwhelming”.

“By and large you have many ministers maintaining their portfolio.”