2 November 2017
National unveils strong Opposition team
National Party Leader Bill English has unveiled a strong Opposition team which will hold the Government to account and
ensure it does not squander the opportunities New Zealanders have created for our country in recent years.
“New Zealand is doing well, with low unemployment, thousands of jobs being created every month, strong public services
and New Zealanders getting ahead,” Mr English says.
“That’s a direct result of the hard work and dedication of New Zealanders who have operated confidently with the support
of a clear and consistent economic plan and a government focused on achieving measurable results.
“We will be pushing the new Government to maintain that success and that focus.
“Today I am announcing our Opposition lineup which makes the most use of our dedicated and talented caucus. We are the
largest Opposition Party New Zealand has ever seen, and the largest party in Parliament. We will ensure we make those
numbers count.
“I have ensured we make the most of the experience and knowledge of our former ministers, while also utilising the
talents of our large caucus who are passionate about New Zealand’s future.
“All but the latest intake of MPs have been allocated portfolios. Those MPs will be given time to understand
Parliamentary processes and work alongside our spokespeople, and be allocated portfolios in due course.
“We will be a strong and loyal Opposition. We are ambitious for New Zealand – and we remain committed to building a
stronger, more confident and more prosperous nation.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure New Zealand continues to succeed and New Zealanders continue to get ahead, while
holding the current Government to account on any decisions that place that progress at risk.”
Portfolio allocations with images: National_Party_Portfolios.pdf
National Party Spokesperson Allocations 2 November 2017Spokesperson forAssociate rolesRt Hon Bill English
Leader of the OppositionNational SecurityHon Paula Bennett
Deputy Leader of the OppositionChildren
Women
Social InvestmentHon Steven JoyceFinance
InfrastructureHon Gerry BrownleeForeign Affairs
Fisheries
Land InformationHon Simon BridgesShadow Leader of the House
Economic and Regional Development
ImmigrationHon Amy AdamsJustice
Workplace Relations and Safety (incl Pike River)Hon Jonathan ColemanHealth
Sport and RecreationHon Christopher FinlaysonShadow Attorney General
Commerce
GCSB
NZSISHon Judith CollinsTransport
RevenueHon Michael WoodhouseHousing
Social HousingHon Nathan GuyPrimary IndustriesHon Nikki KayeEducationHon Todd McClayTrade
State ServicesHon Paul GoldsmithTertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Arts, Culture and HeritageHon Louise UpstonSocial DevelopmentHon Anne TolleyNomination for Deputy SpeakerRt Hon David CarterState Owned EnterprisesHon Nick SmithForestry
AquacultureHon Maggie BarryConservationHon Alfred NgaroCourts
Community and Voluntary Sector
Pacific PeoplesHon Mark MitchellDefenceHon Nicky WagnerDisability IssuesHon Jacqui DeanTourism
Small BusinessHon David BennettFood Safety
RacingAssociate ImmigrationHon Tim MacindoeACCHon Scott SimpsonEnvironment
PlanningJami-Lee RossSenior Whip
Local GovernmentAssociate TransportBarbara KurigerBiosecurity
Rural CommunitiesJunior WhipMatt DooceyGreater Christchurch Regeneration
Mental HealthThird WhipKanwaljit Singh BakshiInternal AffairsAssociate PoliceMelissa LeeBroadcasting, Communications and Digital Media
Ethnic AffairsJonathan YoungEnergy and ResourcesJoanne HayesWhānau OraAssociate ChildrenIan McKelvieSeniors
VeteransSimon O’ConnorCorrectionsJian YangStatisticsAssociate Ethnic AffairsAndrew BaylyBuilding RegulationAssociate CommerceChris BishopPolice
YouthSarah DowieEarly Childhood EducationBrett HudsonICT
Government Digital ServicesNuk KorakoTreaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Māori DevelopmentTodd MullerClimate Change
Crown/Māori RelationsParmjeet ParmarScience and InnovationShane RetiDataAssociate HealthAlastair ScottCustomsAssociate Regional DevelopmentStuart SmithCivil Defence
Earthquake Commission