She will meet former conservation minister Chris Carter, who takes on other responsibilities, this afternoon for a handover and to discuss the priorities for her new role.
Before becoming Rotorua's MP in 1999, Ms Chadwick spent three years on the city's council.
Rotorua is a marginal seat but she is relaxed about having to juggle her ministerial responsibilities with campaigning in her seat in 2008.
She said her appointment to Cabinet means she would be able to represent Rotorua on issues like lake water quality.
"I'll be at the decision-making end this time instead of nipping at minister's heels."
The Rotorua local has a background in health and worked as a midwife for 30 years before becoming a district councillor in Rotorua.
She was a driving force behind the NZ Smokefree Environment Amendment Act in 2003 .
Ms Chadwick was criticised for the impact on bar owners who lost business as a result of the smoking ban.
"I know health like the back of my hand.
" And I'm really looking forward to getting out and reconnecting with clinicians and practitioners.
"That's my territory. I know it well."
Ms Chadwick believes all her new roles complement her experience.
"Women's affairs is like a natural partnering for me.
"I've been a women's health manager, a midwife, a mother and a grandmother ... and advocated all my life as an activist for midwifery care, the breastfeeding, for pay equity.
"That's just a terrific one that feels very natural for me."
In May this year Ms Chadwick introduced a private member's bill to change the Easter trading law.
She argued the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal (Easter Trading) Amendment Bill would have created a level playing field with those traders who did open on Easter Sunday.
However, the bill failed after strong opposition from churches and unions.
She has three adult children, Eli, Hana and Rama and is married to lawyer John Te Manihera.
- NZPA
