WELLINGTON: During last month’s general elections in New Zealand, the new ministers of the country’s elected Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, were sworn in ahead of the first cabinet meeting on Friday. As reported by the New Zealand Herald newspaper, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy said in his welcome address that the formation of a new government is always an ‘important’ moment for the country.
Patsy officially signed a warrant, making Ardern prime minister. Significantly, the ruling Labor Party’s Ardern has taken over as Prime Minister for the second time after winning by a landslide majority in the October 17 general elections.
In his speech addressing the ministers, Ardern said that it is an honor for him to take over as Prime Minister. She also said that she would rule the country during the most difficult time in New Zealand’s history.
Ardern said, “This government is for all the people of New Zealand. He also said that his ministers have an understanding of direction and purpose.”
The Prime Minister took oath on Friday after unveiling his new cabinet on Monday. It also includes new portfolios for the country’s economic recovery and the ongoing Kovid-19 response.
Grant Robertson is the new Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Infrastructure Minister. Current Health Minister Chris Hipkins has been given the Kovid-19 response portfolio.
This new portfolio will give the Minister responsibility for all aspects of the response, including managed isolation facilities, border security along with health response, including testing and contact tracing systems and management of any resurgence of viruses.
Andrew Little was sworn in as Health Minister, while Nenia Mahuta became the Foreign Minister and for the first time in New Zealand history, a woman has been appointed to the post.
