Wellington, June 13 (TIWN) New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday made changes to her Cabinet line-up by replacing ministers for Police, Immigration and Justice.

Chris Hipkins who was responsible for Covid-19 response takes over as Minister of Police, and Ayesha Verrall who is currently the associate Health Minister will be in charge of Covid-19 response, Ardern said after a Cabinet meeting.

The move was in response to the wide criticism of government inaction towards increasing gang violence in several New Zealand cities and deteriorating public security, reports Xinhua news agency.

The new police focus will be on supporting the police, implementing the record investment in the frontline, passing further gun law reforms and developing additional measures to deal with the current escalation in gang tensions and violence, said the Prime Minister.