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English's new Cabinet sworn in by Governor-General

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Tue, 20 Dec 2016, 7:46PM
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English's new Cabinet sworn in by Governor-General

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Tue, 20 Dec 2016, 7:46PM

Four new ministers have met with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy to be sworn in at a ceremony at Government House.

The ceremony in front of family and friends brought to an end the changes within the government, the result of the shock resignation of John Key as prime minster on December 5.

His successor Bill English unveiled the new-look cabinet on Sunday.

A minor reshuffle saw Alfred Ngaro move directly from the backbench to cabinet as Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett appointed ministers outside of cabinet.

All four were greeted by Dame Patsy at the swearing in on Tuesday where they were officially sworn into the roles.

New Finance Minister Steven Joyce made a rugby pass motion to Simon Bridges as the economic development portfolio was handed on, while most other ministers who also received new portfolios were all smiles during the event.

But new Revenue Minister Judith Collins was spotted whispering to colleagues as her appointment to the revenue portfolio was announced.
"Yes. Fine with me," she commented at one point.

The reshuffle saw Ms Collins demoted from her 13th ranked position to 16th, and removed from the police and corrections portfolios.

When asked about sarcastic gestures being made by Ms Collins during the swearing in, Mr English said he wasn't concerned his short-lived leadership competitor would cause problems in the new cabinet.

"Not at all. No. Not concerned," he said.

As the formalities wrapped up Mr English told ministers to "enjoy it", advice he had heard Mr Key offer new ministers in previous reshuffles.

"From here we'll certainly be focused on what's going to take New Zealand forward. But great to see some new ministers, some real talent and some energy," he said.

He joked that he'd spotted two new ministers already eyeing up the empty prime minister's chair as they arrived to meet Dame Patsy but says he's confident in his leadership.

ACT leader David Seymour said just as he maintained a productive relationship with the Key-led government he expects that to continue with the new cabinet.

He says his sponsorship of the End of Life Choices Bill prevents him from taking on a ministerial position as have other members of government support parties.

United Future Party leader Peter Dunne is Minister for Internal Affairs while Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell is Minister for Maori Development and Whanau Ora.

Mr Seymour remains a parliamentary undersecretary for education and regulatory reform.

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