WELLINGTON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister-elect John Key
on Monday announced a 20-strong cabinet and three other ministerial positions
after he cut deals Sunday that secured a strong majority for his National
party-led government.
The list includes first-time ministers Simon Power (justice), Anne Tolley
(education) and Chris Finlayson (treaty negotiations).
Gerry Brownlee takes the energy portfolio, Tony Ryall the health portfolio,
Nick Smith the environment, Tim Groser trade and Murray McCully foreign affairs.
Key will act as tourism minister while his deputy Bill English will be
finance minister.
National's most senior MP Lockwood Smith becomes the Parliament's next
speaker.
On Sunday, Key handed out five ministerial positions outside Cabinet to
National party's support partners.
Through those agreements with Act Party, the Maori Party and United Future
Party, Key has ensured he will have 70 confidence votes in the 122-member
Parliament.
Pita Sharples will be Maori Affairs Minister and Tariana Turia, co-leader
pf the Maori Party, will be in charge of the community and voluntary sector.
They will both also hold associate portfolios.
Act Party leader Rodney Hide takes local government and the new portfolio
of regulatory reform, while his deputy Heather Roy picks up consumer affairs and
associate education and defense roles.
United Future party leader Peter Dunne retains the revenue and associate
health ministerial roles he had under the Labor-led Government.
The total size of Key's executive is 28, the same as the previous Labor-led
government's after the 2005 election.
The Cabinet and ministers outside it are due to be sworn in on Wednesday
and Key will fly out on Thursday to attend the APEC leaders meeting summit in
Peru.
The New Zealand Parliament is expected to be recalled on Dec. 8to sit for
two weeks.
New Zealand held general elections on Nov. 8. The National party, led by
John Key, defeated the Labor party.