New South Island Minister James Meager upbeat about his new role, despite criticism

ter says he has everything he needs to get the advocacy started.

Rangitata MP James Meager says he has "everything" he needs to get started in his new role as Minister for the South Island, despite being allocated just one extra staff member.

Information provided to Green Party MP Francisco Hernandez under the Official Information Act shows that Meager, who is also Minister for Youth Affairs, Minister for Hunting and Fishing and Associate Minister for Transport, will receive an additional one staff member to support his South Island portfolio.

A response from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Hernandez said the minister had an "advocacy and co-ordination focus, with the minister responsible for providing oversight and ensuring a whole of government approach is taken to matters affecting the South Island".

Cabinet ministers would be expected to consult with him on matters that affected the portfolio, he said.

Hernandez said this was not good enough for such an important role.

"Fundamentally the prime minister has confirmed what we feared — that the position of the Minister for the South Island has been set up as a token position without any real power, resources or even guaranteed access to information.

"Rather than setting up token ministerial positions, the prime minister could show real respect to the South Island by delivering the things that the community is crying out for: the Southern Hospital rebuild we were promised, rail-enabled ferries to enable our country to be truly connected and real climate action to protect climate-vulnerable communities like South Dunedin."

Meager was more upbeat.

"I've got everything I need to be a strong advocate inside the ministry for the South Island, and MPs are already very well resourced to undertake the travel and advocacy needed to do the job well. Delegations are always a matter for the prime minister and my job is to deliver what he needs right now: growth in the South Island and advocacy for the South in Wellington.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment had provided his office with a seconded staff member to assist with providing the data, information, logistics and support, he said.

"I'll also be working with other portfolio ministers to help them deliver their priorities in the South Island, whether that is in tourism, transport, infrastructure, housing and many other of our priorities.

"I'll do my best to get around to as many parts of the South while juggling my responsibilities as the local MP for Rangitata, and my other portfolios."

He was most looking forward to building on "recent positive announcements" such as the new Dunedin hospital project, Brougham St transport upgrades in Christchurch, and the opening of the Waimea Dam in Nelson.