Business of Government: the ghost of Bill English, the return of Stuart Nash and more

Nicola Willis and political mentor Bill English (Image: Getty)

Wed, 29 Nov 2023

The ghost of Bill English?Combining the public service portfolio with finance is one of the most significant signals from last Friday’s announcement.Checking as far back as the 1960s doesn’t reveal any other instance of this combination – although the second National government of Keith Holyoake and Jack Marshall did combine it with the office of prime minister.Willis is also the minister for social investment – a policy brainchild of her mentor, former National health, finance minister and prime minister Bill Engli...

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