New mega-ministry MCERT announced to support government reform agenda

Wednesday 17 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 17 Dec 2025, 5:00am

In this story Chris Bishop, Judith Collins, Simon Watts, Ministry for the Environment, Penny Simmonds, Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has announced the creation of the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. This new agency will merge the ministries for environment, housing, transport, and local government to support government reform efforts.

How they headlined it

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1. The Press via The PostWed 17 Dec 2025, 4:00am

   The three questions of a merger: What the new ‘MCERT’ needs to answer (opens in new tab)

2. NewsroomWed 17 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   New mega ministry a test case for potential mergers (opens in new tab)