Labour reshuffles, Edmonds leads new economic team

7th March 2025 By Staff Reporter | news@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds will lead a new economic team, following a reshuffle by leader Chris Hipkins.

The appointment is one of a raft of changes announced this morning by Hipkins at a State of the Nation speech hosted by the Auckland Business Chamber.

“Labour’s new economic team, led by Barbara Edmonds is a signal to New Zealanders that we are serious about tackling the big issues and making change for the better,” Hipkins said.

The new economic team comprises:

Barbara Edmonds – Finance and Economy, Savings and Investment
Ginny Andersen – Jobs and Incomes
Peeni Henare – Economic Development
Reuben Davidson – Science, Technology and Creative Economy
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel – Māori Economy 

The full list of changes, with new portfolios in bold:

• 1. Chris Hipkins – Leader, Ministerial Services, National Security and Intelligence
• 2. Carmel Sepuloni – Auckland Issues, Women, Pacific Peoples (loses Social Development, Child Poverty Reduction)
• 3. Barbara Edmonds (+1) – Finance and Economy, Savings and Investment (loses Infrastructure)
• 4. Megan Woods (-1) – Energy and Resources, Manufacturing and Industry, Associate Finance (loses Climate Change)
• 5. Willie Jackson – Social Development, Māori Development (loses Broadcasting and Media, Employment, Associate Housing, Associate Workplace Relations)
• 6. Ayesha Verrall – Health, Wellington Issues (loses Public Service)
• 7. Kieran McAnulty – Shadow Leader of the House, Housing, Infrastructure and Public Investment (loses Local Govt and Regional Development)
• 8. Williow-Jean Prime – Education, Children (loses Youth, Associate Education – Māori)
• 9. Ginny Andersen – Jobs and Incomes, Police, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations (loses Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Social Investment, Associate Social Development)
• 10. Jan Tinetti – Workplace Relations and Safety, Social Investment, Early Childhood Education, Child Poverty Reduction (loses Education, Women)
• 11. Peeni Henare – Economic Development, Māori-Crown Relations Te Arawhiti, Defence, Associate Health (loses Sport and Recreation)
• 12. Tangi Utikere (+7) – Local Government, Transport, Small Business, Racing (loses Oceans and Fisheries, Associate Education – Pacific)
• 13. Priyanca Radhakrishnan (-1) – NZSIS, GCSB, Disability, Conservation
• 14. Jo Luxton (-1) – Agriculture, Rural Communities, Biosecurity
• 15. Duncan Webb (-1) – Deputy Shadow Leader of the House, Justice, Regulation, Natural Hazards Commission (loses Christchurch issues)
• 16. Deborah Russell (-1) – Revenue, Climate Change, Associate Finance (loses Science, Innovation and Technology, Associate Education – Tertiary)
• 17. Rachel Brooking (-1) – Environment, Food Safety, Space, RMA Reform
• 18. Damien O’Connor (-1) – Trade, Land Information, Regional Development (loses Associate Foreign Affairs, Associate Transport)
• 19. David Parker (-1) – Foreign Affairs, Shadow Attorney General (loses Electoral Reform)
• 20. Camilla Belich – ACC, Public Services, Emergency Management (loses Workplace Relations and Safety)
• 21. Arena Williams – Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Building and Construction, Youth (loses State-owned Enterprises)
• 22. Phil Twyford – Immigration, Disarmament and Arms Control, Associate Foreign Affairs
• 23. Greg O’Connor – Courts, Veterans
• 24. Jenny Salesa – Ethnic Communities, Customs
• 25. Rachel Boyack – Arts, Culture and Heritage, Animal Welfare, Oceans and Fisheries (loses ACC)
• 26. Adrian Rurawhe – Whānau Ora (loses Associate Māori Development)
• 27. Helen White – Community and Voluntary Sector, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence (loses Small Business and Manufacturing, Associate Justice)
• 28. Ingrid Leary – Seniors, Mental Health
• 29. Lemauga Lydia Sosene – Internal Affairs, Statistics (loses Associate Pacific Peoples, Associate Social Development and Employment)
• 30. Reuben Davidson – Science, Technology and Innovation, Broadcasting, Media and Creative Economy (loses Statistics, Digital Economy and Communications, Associate Broadcasting and Media)
• 31. Cushla Tangaere-Manuel – Māori Economy, Sport and Recreation, Forestry (loses Tourism and Hospitality, Cyclone Recovery)
• 32. Tracey McLellan – Corrections, Christchurch Issues (loses Associate Health)
• 33. Shanan Halbert – Tertiary Education, Rainbow Issues (loses Auckland Issues)
• 34. Glen Bennett – Tourism and Hospitality (loses Economic Development, Associate Energy)