Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern outlining the timeline for forming a government, working with the Greens and who will be deputy leader. Video / Mark Mitchell
The next Government is beginning to take shape even though Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Green co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson are staying mum on the substance of their talks.
Meanwhile the role of deputy prime minister appears to be there for Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis' taking ifhe wants it - but he is also giving little away on whether he does.
Formal talks between Labour and the Greens are likely to run into next week, with the new Government expected to be sworn in the following week.
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And while neither side will be drawn on the chances of a formal coalition, it seems unlikely given Ardern's comments about Labour's mandate to govern alone and her wish to respect National supporters who may have ticked red for the first time.
That indicated, Davidson conceded, a Government unwilling to go as far or as fast as the Greens want on climate change, biodiversity protection and inequality.
Illustration / Rod Emmerson
Her counterpart James Shaw was more diplomatic.
"We're in that funny stage post-election where everybody's trying to read tea leaves in absolutely everything that anybody says," he said.
"We just don't have any comment about the nature of the negotiations until they're actually done."
Ardern said she will take an inclusive approach and expected any governing arrangement with the Greens to be announced next week after negotiations concluded.
"I'm interested in areas of co-operation where we can use the strengths that exist in their team," Ardern said.
That could indicate Shaw remaining Climate Change Minister, though Shaw would not comment on the possibility of any ministerial roles.
Any agreement would also need to be signed off by Green Party members.
Meanwhile Ardern repeated her support for the deputy PM role to be filled by the party's deputy leader, which is determined by Labour's caucus.
Many caucus colleagues offered support for Kelvin Davis taking the deputy PM role, but when asked about it yesterday, Davis did not put his hand up.
"Any decision around roles and responsibilities are yet to be made. Really, that's all I'm going to say about it," Davis said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the Labour Party caucus in Parliament after their stunning election victory. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Willie Jackson, who co-chairs Labour's Māori caucus, said the caucus supported Davis no matter what he decided.
He rejected the idea that there would be a backlash from Māori if Davis, the MP for Te Tai Tokerau and Minister for Māori Crown Relations, didn't want the position.
