A cabinet reshuffle this past weekend means a new Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Louise Upston, replacing Matt Doocey, who held the role since 2023.

Prime minister Christopher Luxon announced the reshuffle on Sunday (January 19), which included former transport minister Simeon Brown to replace Dr Shane Reti as health minister.

The PM said tourism and hospitality is “a critical industry for promoting growth and employment in regional New Zealand”.

He said his refreshed team would be “focused on unleashing economic growth to make people better off, create more opportunities for business and help us afford the world-class health and education Kiwis deserve”.

Louise said she was feeling honoured to have picked up the new role.

“Tourism is so important for my electorate of Taupō and New Zealand,” she said. 

“It brings in billions of dollars from international visitors each year, right down to those little purchases that keep the local cafes and motels humming in our regions.”

The switch to Simeon Brown for health minister has raised questions about his stance on the Dunedin Hospital rebuild.

The PM said he had heard concerns from people that “they expect to see even more progress” in establishing targets and refreshing leadership in Health NZ to ensure they can access the care they need, when they need it.

Health is a priority area in 2025, he said.

“Simeon is an outstanding and diligent minister who has done an excellent job delivering on the Government’s priorities. Off the back of that performance, I have decided his skills are best placed to take leadership of our health system going forward.”

PHOTOS: Supplied