What happened to the Urban Development Minister?

The post of Urban Development Minister was formerly held by Phil Twyford. He was the minister in charge of the Urban Development Bill as it progressed through Parliament. Before the election, the Taxpayer's Union awarded a lifetime achievement award to Twyford for excellence in government waste. The Taxpayer's Union implied that Adern had removed Twyford from his more senior post: 'Last year, the Prime Minister finally removed Phil Twyford from the Housing portfolio.' What they failed to note was that Twyford, far from being removed from a influential position, was in fact in charge of the progression of legislation that would give him almost unfettered power.

In an apparently spectacular fall from grace, Twyford was demoted to a minister outside Cabinet shortly after the election. But here is the extremely odd thing -nobody appears to now hold the mantle of the Minister for Urban Development. Megan Woods is the Minister of Housing. There is a Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, but only a Minister of Housing. The Register of Assigned Legislation does not even include the Urban Development Act 2020. This seems remarkable, it is legislation with unprecedented powers that are not apparently held by anyone. Where is this power held? Has Ardern somehow forgotten to assign the portfolio? Is it sitting in her wardrobe like a carelessly forgotten loaded pistol for some kid to stumble across? Perhaps some unknown figure is even now carrying around the loaded portfolio as they slink through the corridors of power?

The progression of the Wellington Regional Growth Framework suggests that the unprecedented powers of the Urban Development Act 2020 are about to be used. But used by whom? Whose face will be mysteriously photoshopped back next to comrade Ardern?