The troublesome police portfolio has gone to Annette King in the new Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Helen Clark today.

Steve Maharey takes the education portfolio. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen keeps the finance portfolio as expected, but he has also been given tertiary education.

Cabinet's third ranked minister, Jim Anderton, who had coveted the education portfolio, has been handed agriculture, biosecurity and fisheries.

However, his desire to get involved in education has been partially met with the role of associate minister for tertiary education.

Helen Clark said the Government was "renewing and refreshing" itself for the third term.

"Experienced ministers need new challenges and we have a signficant number of new ministers to fill the slots of those retiring," she said.

Phil Goff, who lost his foreign affairs portfolio to New Zealand First leader Winston Peters under Labour's deal with that party, becomes defence minister.

Ms King, who had told Helen Clark previously that she wanted a change from health, becomes Minister of State Services -- including co-ordinating responsibility for race relations -- as well as Minister of Police.

Trevor Mallard, formerly education, takes over the economic development portfolio, previously held by Mr Anderton.

The new health minister is Pete Hodgson, who had been trained up for the role as an associate.

Mark Burton, who had been defence minister, becomes justice minister.

In other changes, Lianne Dalziel -- returning to Cabinet after a spell on the backbenches -- becomes minister of commerce. At number 15, she is the highest ranked of the new Cabinet ministers.

Damien O'Connor, who makes it into Cabinet after being a minister outside Cabinet, is minister of corrections and minister of tourism.

David Cunliffe, who was also a minister outside Cabinet last term, takes the immigration portfolio.

David Parker becomes energy minister, Nanaia Mahuta is customs minister and Clayton Cosgrove is the minister for building issues.

Absent from the ministerial list is Taito Phillip Field, under a cloud while various allegations against him are being investigated.

Two new ministers outside Cabinet have been named in Winnie Laban, minister for the community and voluntary sector, and Mahara Okeroa, who becomes associate minister for social development. Mr Okeroa was a parliamentary under-secretary in the previous government.

Miss Clark had prevously announced roles for the leaders of New Zealand First and United Future who have signed confidence and supply agreements with Labour.

Among the changes were:
Steve Maharey - Education
Phil Goff - Trade Negotiations and Defence
Annette King - Police
Trevor Mallard - Economic Development
Pete Hodgson - Health
David Benson-Pope - Social Development
David Parker - Attorney General And Energy And Transport
Jim Anderton - Agriculture 

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF