Prime Minister Bill English and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett during a press conference after their caucus meeting at Parliament, Wellington, yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Prime Minister Bill English and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett during a press conference after their caucus meeting at Parliament, Wellington, yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
New Prime Minister Bill English will unveil his new Cabinet on Sunday.
Ministers will be sworn into their new roles next Tuesday, English confirmed to reporters this afternoon.
English officially became Prime Minister yesterday and said one of his first priorities was reshuffling his caucus before Christmas.
He has alreadyconfirmed the finance role will go to Steven Joyce, which will free up the economic development portfolio.
Local Government Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga announced today he would stand down from his ministerial roles in the reshuffle, ahead of his resignation at the general election. That will free up a place in Cabinet.
There had been speculation Lotu-Iiga would be demoted by English. Others who could be in line for a fall are Housing Minister Nick Smith, Women's Affairs Minister Louise Upston and Veterans' Affairs Minister Craig Foss.
Simon Bridges and Amy Adams could be in line for promotions in the new Cabinet. Back benchers including Alfred Ngaro, Mark Mitchell, Todd Muller and Chris Bishop could also take on ministerial portfolios.
