Rotorua MP Todd McClay moves up a step in Cabinet reshuffle

Rotorua MP Todd McClay has held on to his cabinet positions after a re-shuffle was announced this afternoon. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua MP Todd McClay has moved up one position in the National Party Cabinet after today's reshuffle announced by new Prime Minister Bill English.

Mr McClay will remain Minister of Trade and Minister for State Owned Enterprises, moving from 18th position to 17th in the National Party Cabinet after the resignation of former Prime Minister John Key.

Mr McClay said he was pleased Mr English had shown confidence in him by allowing him to continue the work he was doing with his two portfolios, but his first order of business when he travels to Wellington tomorrow would be to lobby Maggie Barry, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, for government help to fix the Rotorua Museum.

Also of interest to Rotorua is that Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will take over as Minister of Tourism and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges now has three portfolios - Minister for Economic Development, Minister of Transport and Minister for Communications.

Mr Bridges will also be Deputy Leader of the House and Associate Minister of Finance.

East Coast MP Anne Tolley was made Minister for Children, Minister for Social Development and Minister of Local Government.

Taupo MP Louise Upston is now Minister of Corrections, Associate Minister of Education, Associate Minister for Primary Industries and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.

Mr McClay said he had done a lot of work on the trade portfolio in the past year or so and was pleased to be able to continue that work.

"I'm very pleased to remain a Cabinet minister, but the first thing I will do next week is to speak to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage about the Rotorua Museum.

"It's a very important building and I have spoken to the mayor about how we can progress that issue."

Mr McClay said the appointment of Ms Bennett as Minister of Tourism was also good for Rotorua.

"I work closely with Paula, she's been here a number of times, including coming to Crankworx, and has a passion for tourism. I want to work with her to ensure Rotorua remains a high-profile destination."

Mr McClay said in the new year he would push for more fairness for New Zealand's forestry sector and an "ongoing commitment to tourism and the kiwifruit industry in terms of fairness in trade with markets around the world".

"Tuesday will be our swearing in and the final Cabinet meeting of the year.

"After that I'll be getting home to be in my electorate, enjoying the lakes and being nice and friendly to the many visitors we get to Rotorua."