Proposals to reduce government ministries and the ACT Party's proposals for Auckland w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 6th July, 2026

Last week the ACT Party announced a policy for the upcoming election that would involve reducing the number of government ministries. Currently, 78 portfolios are shared across 28 ministers, a number which Party leader David Seymour says can be cut down to 18. 

While the ACT Party believes this policy would streamline government, making things more efficient and generating savings, it’s unclear what these savings would deliver for the public.

Also last week, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown released a series of interviews with MPs from various political parties. In each of these interviews, the mayor discussed the state of the city and what each political party can offer Aucklanders. Out of each party in parliament, ACT and Te Pāti Māori were the only two to refuse an interview. 

For this week’s catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with the proposal to cut government departments.