# Minister of Communications (New Zealand)

The Minister of Communications is a defunct ministerial position in the New Zealand Government which was in use from 1990 to 2017. The occupant of the office was responsible for the government's communications sector policies and regulatory system, including the regulation of the telecommunications and postal sectors, the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband, rural broadband and radio spectrum management. The title has been discontinued since 2017 and combined with other portfolios, notably broadcasting.

## History

The position was created in 1990 and was in use until 2017, when it was combined for the first time with the broadcasting portfolio (as Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media). Previously, from December 2016 to October 2017, the broadcasting portfolio had been disestablished with some of its responsibilities assigned to the Minister of Communications. Between 2020 and 2023, communications policy was the responsibility of the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications. Since 2023, the responsible minister is the Minister for Media and Communications.
Year 2000 preparedness in New Zealand was led by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. A major activity within the portfolio from 2008 onward was the implementation of the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme.
Administrative and policy support was provided to the minister by the Ministries of Commerce; Economic Development; and Business, Innovation and Employment.

### Minister of Information Technology

Between 1993 and 2007, the holder of the communications portfolio was additionally appointed as Minister of Information Technology. Those two portfolios were combined under a single title, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, between 2007 and 2014. A standalone communications portfolio was restored after the 2014 general election and responsibility for information and technology was assigned to the Minister of Economic Development.

## List of ministers

The following ministers have held the office of Minister of Communications.

### Key

Labour National
| No. | Name | Term of office | Term of office | Prime minister | Relationship with Information Technology portfolio |
| 1 | Jonathan Hunt | 9 February 1990 | 2 November 1990 | Palmer | None. |
| 1 | Jonathan Hunt | 9 February 1990 | 2 November 1990 | Moore | None. |
| 2 | Maurice Williamson | 2 November 1990 | 10 December 1999 | Bolger | From 29 November 1993, additionally appointed as Minister of Information Technology. |
| 2 | Maurice Williamson | 2 November 1990 | 10 December 1999 | Shipley | From 29 November 1993, additionally appointed as Minister of Information Technology. |
| 3 | Paul Swain | 10 December 1999 | 21 December 2004 | Clark | Additionally appointed as Minister of Information Technology. |
| 4 | David Cunliffe | 21 December 2004 | 19 December 2008 | Clark | Until 5 November 2007, additionally appointed as Minister of Information Technology; thereafter titled Minister of Communications and Information Technology. |
| 5 | Steven Joyce | 19 November 2008 | 14 December 2011 | Key | Titled Minister of Communications and Information Technology. |
| 6 | Amy Adams | 14 December 2011 | 20 December 2016 | Key | Until 6 October 2014, titled Minister of Communications and Information Technology; thereafter titled Minister of Communications. |
| 7 | Simon Bridges | 20 December 2016 | 26 October 2017 | English | Additionally appointed Minister of Economic Development. |