Little now front but not centre

Labour have announced a slight reshuffle of portfolio responsibilities following Jacinda Ardern’s ascension to leader on Tuesday.

Ardern is retaining her Children and Arts portfolios while picking up Security and Intelligence from previous leader Andrew Little.

Party leaders traditionally take responsibility for security and intelligence issues, as do prime ministers.

Little is down but not out. He picks up Justice and Small Business from Ardern, along with ACC, and retains responsibility for the ‘‘New Economy’’.

Opposition MPs have issues or ‘‘portfolios’’ that they are the spokespeople on, usually in direct opposition to a Minister.

He has also been moved down the front bench behind Grant Robertson, Phil Twyford, Megan Woods, and Chris Hipkins.

Ardern said Little would be ‘‘looking forward to Labour being in government and the opportunity to be a minister’’.

‘‘We spoke about the portfolios and he was really pleased with the mix of things he will be working on and I feel lucky to have him on my front bench.’’

The rest of the Labour front bench remains relatively untouched, with Robertson retaining Finance, Twyford retaining Housing, and Hipkins retaining Education.

Adrian Rurawhe has picked up responsibility for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

Robertson, Carmel Sepuloni, and Nanaia Mahuta have picked up associate roles.

New deputy Kelvin Davis remains responsible for Maori Development and Corrections.