Speaking to the Rotorua Daily Post, McClay said he was “very pleased” to be taking on the new portfolio in addition to tourism and trade.
“There are one million recreational fishers in New Zealand [and] 250,000 people who actively hunt, and many of them will feel they’ve never had a voice around the Cabinet table.
“It’s an opportunity now to make sure that the things that are important to them are not only heard [but] can be delivered in a future National government.”
“It’s very much around, how do we get better results faster to ensure that there are safer homes around New Zealand [...] for New Zealanders who are in homes that are unsafe? They can’t wait.
“We still, unfortunately, have far too many incidents of family violence, and we have to do far better in terms of getting results, and they are predominantly women and children who are in unsafe environments, and we need to do more earlier on to prevent it.”
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has been promoted and now sits at number 12 after previously being unranked.
He has been given the agriculture portfolio, which he had held in an acting capacity. He has taken climate change from Scott Simpson. Muller held both portfolios under Simon Bridges’ leadership and was charged with negotiating National’s support of the Zero Carbon Act.
However, back then Muller held the portfolios one after the other - climate change first, followed by agriculture. This time, he will hold both portfolios concurrently.
Muller said he was “very humbled” by the trust of Luxon.
“Agriculture and climate changes are two passions of mine - they have been portfolios I’ve had before, and are critical for the future of New Zealand’s economic prosperity.
“We’re the best farmers in the world, and we have a contribution to make to improving our climate change position over time.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to advocate for the farming sector and also bring some, I think, considered perspectives of how best we [get] down our emissions in a way that enables our country to still be profitable and successful.”
National leader Christopher Luxon speaks at the party conference in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell said he was “really honoured” to have a spokesperson role for horticulture. He is also the associate spokesperson for research, science and technology, and for economic and regional development.
“Obviously, horticulture is a huge part of the Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty economy, so to be able to represent that is a real privilege and it will enable me to focus on some of the key areas for horticulture, and that’s making sure that we can get the supply of workers into the country that we need, making sure that the critical infrastructure around the roads leading into Tauranga, State Highway 29 and also SH2 all the way up to Ōmokoroa [get] done, and making sure that we can get the third berth at the Port of Tauranga completed.”
Another aspect of “critical infrastructure” which needed to be addressed was Hull Rd, Hewletts Rd and Totara St, which all fed into the port, he said.
“Zespri are wanting to export significantly large quantities, and we need to make sure that as a government they are being given all the assistance in terms of critical infrastructure that’s required so that we can grow a prosperous economy and lift incomes for everyone.”
