Dr Shane Reti: Repositioned but resolute in new portfolios

Doctor Shane Reti has transitioned from the health portfolio to focus on science, innovation, and technology following a Cabinet reshuffle.

After spending his holiday volunteering in the Cook Islands during a tropical cyclone, the Minister for Pacific Peoples focuses on his new portfolios this year.

He emphasised his commitment to Pacific issues, including housing, education, and language preservation, and highlighted his achievements in advancing initiatives for Pacific people.

Reti said it was important for universities to work closely with the private sector to boost economic growth and effectively commercialise research.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Reti said, “I always had a laser focus on the Pacific portfolio, as you can see by the number of countries I visited last year, and it was always a very high priority for me. It remains a very high priority for me.

“If we look back at the track record over year one, what we were able to do with Pacific Peoples with the ministry last year, what we were able to do setting targets, what we were able to do with the healthy homes initiative for Pacific people, all the things we were able to achieve, we clearly have a track record.

“And that track record will progress over this next year. So I think if we just look back as to what was the track record, I think it's a good indication of the pathway forward, but we're always looking to do more this year.”

Transition from health to science and technology

Reti has moved from the health portfolio to science, innovation, and technology in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described this shift as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth in 2025, positioning Reti to play a key role in integrating universities, Crown research institutes, and private enterprises.

Dr Shane Reti and Deputy PM Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters in Vanuatu. Photo/Ala Vailala

Reti acknowledged the challenges of stepping away from health but emphasised that his extensive experience in IT and academia would be key in advancing his new portfolios.

Last week, the Government announced the most significant reset of its research agenda in more than 30 years, with reforms aimed at boosting the economy and benefitting the sector.

The reform aims to integrate universities with the science, technology, and innovation sectors by leveraging taxpayer-funded research through Crown agencies and private enterprises.

This collaboration seeks to commercialise intellectual property more effectively, with data and statistics playing a foundational role in supporting these initiatives.

Reti said the reform was a key piece of work in his new portfolios.

Watch Dr Shane Reti's full interview below.

“I used to hold the, in opposition, I held the tertiary portfolio. So, I know what the tertiary system looks like.

“And what we need to do there with universities, we need to apply some scrutiny to the operational performance andtheir fiscal performance.

“Operationally, we need to make sure that there's participation, that there's good numbers of people able to participate in tertiary education completion that they get through at the other end.

“And then particularly, we're wanting to commercialise the research agendas and all that knowledge so that New Zealanders see the benefit of the resource put into universities.”

Health portfolio handover

The decision to reassign the health portfolio to Simeon Brown sparked speculation about Reti’s departure being a demotion.

He dismissed speculation that the portfolio change indicated a demotion, asserting his ongoing confidence in the Prime Minister. “I still retain the confidence of the Prime Minister. I'm still in Cabinet.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. Photo/Ala Vailala

“You couldn't draw that conclusion and with a major piece of reform, you couldn't draw that conclusion when that's been passed to me.

“So no, I certainly don't look at it that way.”

Looking ahead

Despite the reshuffle, Reti remains optimistic about his future contributions to the Government and is dedicated to his new roles.

“This is the sandbox for politics. We all understand, eyes wide open, what this can look like.

“Most importantly, I retain the Prime Minister's confidence and a set of really important portfolios that he's looking to advance forward. So that'll now have my 110 per cent attention.”