Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2026 |
| Preceding agencies | |
| Jurisdiction | New Zealand |
| Minister responsible |
|
The Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT)[1] is a proposed public service department of New Zealand.
History
The Ministry was announced in December 2025 as a new agency that replaces the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and the Ministry of Transport, and takes the local government functions from the Department of Internal Affairs.[2] A paper taken to Cabinet by public service minister Judith Collins and RMA reform minister Chris Bishop that month noted that the new agency will reduce fragmentation, "provide joined-up advice to solve problems, with a regional focus" and "strengthen performance monitoring across interdependent systems."[3]
The Ministry is expected to have a chief executive appointed by April 2026 and be fully operational on 1 July 2026.[3][4]
Ministers
The Ministry will be formed by an amalgamation of these current ministerial portfolios.
| Officeholder | Portfolios | Other responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Chris Bishop | Minister for Housing Minister for Transport |
Minister Responsible for RMA Reform |
| Hon Tama Potaka | Associate Minister for Housing | |
| Hon Simon Watts | Minister for Local Government Minister for Climate Change |
|
| Hon Penny Simmonds | Minister for the Environment | |
| Hon Andrew Hoggard | Associate Minister for the Environment | |
| Hon James Meager | Associate Minister for Transport |
References
- ^ Whyte, Anna (16 December 2025). "The three questions of a merger: What the new 'MCERT' needs to answer". The Press. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "New ministry to deliver better housing, transport, and environmental outcomes". New Zealand Government. 16 December 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Planning and infrastructure arrangements" (PDF). Public Service Commission. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "New ministry to combine housing, transport and environment". RNZ. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.