Since that professional and personal disappointment Ms Simmonds has done a diligent job implementing vocational education reform. Six months will not give Ms Simmonds opportunity for wholescale reform, but she will need to ensure Dr Reti’s initiatives when he was in charge of these areas are implemented. Much of the post-reshuffle conversation has centred on senior minister Chris Bishop and his perceived demotion. That said, he remains a senior minister and indispensable workhorse. The reshuffle held little for the younger talent in National’s ranks, although Nicola Grigg did pick up the Environment portfolio that was formerly Ms Simmonds’.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 03, 2026 17:12 UTC