Ministers take oath of Office at Government House
Wellington, November 6, 2020
The new government wants to get on with the job of recovering from one of the most challenging times in the country’s history, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after the first meeting of her new Cabinet.
She and other ministers were sworn into their respective offices by the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy at the Government House.
“We will be the government for all New Zealanders. Today, I reminded Cabinet that the honour of serving comes with enormous responsibility. We take nothing for granted in leading the team of five million over the next three years,” she said.
Working with other Parties
Ms Ardern said that her government will work with other Parties on some issues as necessary.
“It will be case by case.”
Ardern says the formal opening of Parliament will be on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, when the Speaker will be chosen.
The House will rise for the year on December 9, 2020.
Cabinet meetings will continue after the House rises.
Ms Ardern said that her Cabinet will meet again on Monday and that there is a busy agenda for the rest of the year. She will outline more about that next week.
Working for all People
She wants to remind the country that her government will work for all people as it works on significant challenges that the country faces.
She was humbled by news that Labour’s share of the vote had risen today.
Ms Ardern said the new government will be focused on managing and recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The final election results were also released today showing that Labour had won 50% of the votes. With more than 500,000 special votes counted, the National Party lost two seats with one each going to Labour and the Māori Party.
The Parliamentary majority gives Ardern and her party a strong mandate, but she has chosen to also extend some power to the Green Party, with an Agreement to give them portfolios outside Cabinet.
Green Co-Leader James Shaw will remain as the Minister of Climate Change and has also become Associate Minister for the Environment, while Co-Leader Marama Davidson will hold the new Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Portfolio and Associate Minister for Housing.
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
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