Election 2026: Labour Party announces caucus reshuffle, Willow-Jean Prime loses education

Labour leader Chris Hipkins (centre), flanked by Willow-Jean Prime (left) and Willie Jackson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

MP Willow-Jean Prime has lost education in a reshuffle of the Labour Party’s shadow Cabinet, with the portfolio being handed to Ginny Andersen.

Among the other changes announced on Wednesday for Labour’s caucus is a new foreign affairs and defence team. Those portfolios were held by the outgoing MP Peeni Henare.

Vanushi Walters will take on foreign affairs (along with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau), while also moving up Labour’s rankings to just outside the top 10.

Damien O’Connor gets defence. He retains his trade portfolio, along with other roles.

Reuben Davidson picks up economic development from Henare, “a critical portfolio as we focus on tackling the cost-of-living crisis that National is making worse”, leader Chris Hipkins said.

Camilla Belich is the party’s new justice spokeswoman. Justice was a portfolio held by Duncan Webb, who is leaving politics.

Willie Jackson has lost social development and is taking on Māori-Crown relations.

Prime will now be the social development spokeswoman. She was the education spokeswoman but has now lost that, but will hold on to an associate education portfolio with a focus on Māori.

Her credibility in the education portfolio came under scrutiny last year after the Herald revealed she had initially ignored and then declined briefings on the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) change programme.

Labour's new caucus team after the reshuffle. Graphic / Labour Party

“New Zealanders are looking for a Government that’s focused on the issues that matter – the cost of living, jobs, health and homes. Our team is energised, experienced, and ready to govern,” Hipkins said.

Jackson’s movement into the Māori-Crown relations and associate health (Māori) portfolios was to reflect “his key role and focus on running a winning campaign for the Māori seats this year”, Hipkins said.

The leader said Prime’s social development and employment role requires “care, empathy and a strong focus on improving outcomes for New Zealanders”.

“Georgie Dansey will pick up the rainbow issues and regulation portfolios, and Dan Rosewarne will be spokesperson for rural communities and small business once he is sworn in,” Hipkins said.

“While Duncan Webb is not running for re-election, I am very grateful that he will be taking on a mentoring role to support our team as we prepare to govern.”

The reshuffle has taken into account the departures of several MPs from the Labour team, including the upcoming exits of current justice spokesman Webb and foreign affairs and defence spokesman Henare.

It is also common for parties to make reshuffles in an election year. The Prime Minister is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle sometime in the coming weeks that will have to reflect the resignations of the likes of Judith Collins and Shane Reti.

Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.