Kate Wilkinson (politician)

Wilkinson was criticised for her decision not to mandate the addition of folic acid to bread sold to the public. Paediatric Society Doctor Andrew Marshall said "making folic acid mandatory would prevent 10 to 20 birth defects, such as spina bifida, a year", as well as strokes and other disease.[7]

Wilkinson resigned her portfolio as Minister of Labour on 5 November 2012, following the publication of the Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster. It stated that there were major flaws in the Department of Labour, and recommended "sweeping changes" into the department.[8] In a statement, Prime Minister John Key said, "Ms Wilkinson's decision to resign is a personal decision in response to the magnitude of the tragedy. It is the honourable thing to do. I considered it proper for me to accept her resignation from the Labour portfolio." She retained her other portfolios and was succeeded in the Labour portfolio by Chris Finlayson.

Wilkinson however was not asked to step down from her other portfolios in Conservation, Food Safety, and Associate Immigration.[9] She was removed from cabinet in the reshuffle of January 2013.[6]

On 31 January 2013 Wilkinson was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable for life in recognition of her term as a Member of the Executive Council of New Zealand.[10]

Wilkinson announced in November 2013 that she would retire at the end of the term of the 50th Parliament.[1] At the time, it was rumoured that political newcomer Matthew Doocey, who contested the 2013 Christchurch East by-election, was going to replace her as the candidate in the Waimakariri electorate;[1] this proved to be correct.[11] Doocey was selected to replace Wilkinson and retained the seat with a lightly increased majority at the 2014 election.