Opposition parties name line-ups

Labour and the Green Party have announced details of the portfolios assigned to their MPs as they now form the bulk of the opposition to the new government.

Tangi Utikere, from Labour, and the Greens’ Julie Anne Genter have picked up the responsibility for transport after the line-ups were announced ahead of politicians returning to parliament for the first time since October’s general election.

Former prime minister Chris Hipkins is leader of the opposition and other Labour appointments include Grant Robertson as spokesman for finance and Megan Woods being awarded the climate change and energy portfolios.

“Our Labour Party team is highly experienced and energised and looking forward to getting back to Parliament,” says Hipkins.

“The election didn’t go Labour’s way and we have work to do to make sure Kiwis know and feel that Labour backs them. I have absolute confidence our team will work with communities right across the country to build this support back.”

The Green Party has its largest caucus ever and promises to “shadow the government’s ministers, to challenge them and hold them to account”.

Some of its key appointments include co-leader James Shaw being given the climate change and finance portfolios, and Ricardo Menendez March as its immigration spokesman.

Selected MPs’ portfolios

Labour Party

Chris Hipkins: Leader of the opposition

Grant Robertson: Finance

Megan Woods: Climate change, energy

Kieran McAnulty: Regional development

Jan Tinetti: Education

Barbara Edmonds: Economic development, infrastructure

Jo Luxton: Agriculture, biosecurity

Damien O’Connor: Trade

Tangi Utikere: Transport

Camilla Belich: Workplace relations and safety

Arena Williams: Commerce and consumer affairs

Phil Twyford: Immigration

Jenny Salesa: Customs

Helen White: Small business and manufacturing

Green Party

James Shaw: Climate change, finance, regulation

Julie Anne Genter: Transport, infrastructure, economic development

Teanau Tuiono: Education, workplace relations and safety

Lan Pham: Biosecurity, Customs

Golriz Ghahraman: Trade

Ricardo Menendez March: Immigration, workforce planning and development

Fa’anana Efeso Collins: Commerce and consumer affairs

Scott Willis: Energy, regional development

Darleen Tana: Small business and manufacturing