Government Formed

Just over a month after election night, Helen Clark has formed a government and been sworn in as Prime Minister, making her the first Labour Party leader to form a government in three successive terms. Following negotiations with the smaller parties Labour has entered into a formal coalition with the Progressives and United Future and New Zealand First have signed confidence and supply agreements. The Greens have committed to support the government during confidence and supply votes but the party will not have a role inside the executive. Ministerial portfolios have undergone a major reallocation following the formation of the new government in a bid to renew and refresh itself for the third term. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen keeps finance and gains the tertiary education portfolio. Jim Anderton is allocated agriculture, biosecurity and fisheries and Phil Goff becomes Minister of Defence. Peter Dunne was given Minister of Revenue and Associate Health Minister outside of the cabinet and Winston Peters becomes the new Minister of Foreign Affairs outside cabinet, as well as the Minister of Racing and Associate Minister for Senior Citizens.