Prime Minister-elect Helen Clark today announced the ministerial portfolios for the new Labour-Alliance government, confirming Jim Anderton's appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Michael Cullen's as Finance Minister.

Helen Clark said that the new ministerial team is a skilled and talented team containing a wide range of backgrounds and experience.

"This is the most diverse ministry in New Zealand's history. There are eleven women ministers, four Maori ministers, and New Zealand's first Pacific Island Cabinet minister. Ministers come from a wide range of occupational backgrounds.

The new government's greatest challenge is to promote sustainable economic growth. While the short term forecasts for the economy show it coming back from the recession of 1998/99, a significant transformation needs to occur if New Zealand is to maintain first world living standards in the 21st century. Dr Cullen, Mr Anderton and other ministers with economic-related portfolios have this task as their top priority.

"The whole government will work to support Dover Samuels, the new Minister of Maori Affairs, and his associates, Sandra Lee, Tariana Turia and Parekura Horomia closing the gaps which have developed between Maori and other New Zealanders. Mrs Turia and Mr Horomia are associates in key mainstream portfolios to ensure that spending on Maori needs is effective and appropriate.

"There will be a strong emphasis on conservation and environmental sustainability across the portfolios, including those of fisheries, forestry, and energy.

"Arts and culture are represented in the Cabinet by the Prime Minister, who will be assisted by Judith Tizard. Miss Tizard will also be working on Auckland issues and reporting directly to the Prime Minister in that area.

"The new Labour-Alliance government will provide strong leadership in transforming the economy and providing a new, fresh direction for New Zealand," Helen Clark said.

Ministerial List for Announcement
9 December 1999

Notes: 1. All Ministers are members of the Executive Council
2. Portfolios are listed in the left hand column. Other responsibilities assigned by the Prime Minister are listed in the right hand column.

THE CABINET

Portfolios Other responsibilities

1
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

Ministerial Services
Minister in Charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service

2
Jim Anderton
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Industry and Regional Development

Public Trust Office
Audit Department

3
Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Treasurer
Minister of Finance
[Includes responsibility for the Government Superannuation Fund]
Minister for Accident Insurance
Minister of Revenue

Leader of the House

4
Steve Maharey
Minister of Social Services and Employment

Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education)
Community and Voluntary Sector

5
Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Minister of Justice

6
Hon Annette King
Minister of Health

Minister for Racing

7
Sandra Lee
Minister of Conservation
Minister of Local Government

Associate Minister of Maori Affairs

8
Hon Jim Sutton
Minister of Agriculture
Minister for Trade Negotiations

Rural Affairs

9
Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
Minister of State Services
Minister for Sport, Fitness and Leisure

Associate Minister of Finance
Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office
Adult and Community Education

10
Pete Hodgson
Minister of Energy
Minister of Fisheries
Minister of Forestry
Minister of Research, Science and Technology
Minister for Crown Research Institutes

Small Business
Associate Minister for Economic Development
Associate Minister for Industry and Regional Development
Timberlands West Coast Ltd

11
Margaret Wilson
Attorney-General
Minister of Labour
Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Associate Minister of Justice
Associate Minister of State Services

12
Dover Samuels
Minister of Maori Affairs

Associate Minister of Fisheries
Associate Minister of Tourism

13
Matt Robson
Minister of Corrections
Minister for Courts
Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control

Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Official Development Assistance)

14
Lianne Dalziel
Minister of Immigration
Minister for Senior Citizens

Associate Minister of Education

15
George Hawkins
Minister of Police
Minister of Civil Defence

Ethnic Affairs

16
Mark Burton
Minister of Defence
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for SOEs
Minister of Tourism
Minister of Veterans' Affairs

Deputy Leader of the House

17
Paul Swain
Minister of Commerce
Minister of Communications
Minister for Information Technology
Minister for Land Information
Minister of Statistics

Associate Minister of Energy
Associate Minister of Justice

18
Marian Hobbs
Minister for the Environment
Minister for Biosecurity
Minister of Broadcasting
[Includes responsibility for Television New Zealand Ltd, Radio New Zealand Ltd, and NZ on Air]

Minister Responsible for the National Library
National Archives
Associate Minister of Communications

19
Mark Gosche
Minister of Transport
Minister of Housing
[Includes responsibility for Housing New Zealand Ltd and Housing Corporation]
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs

Civil Aviation

20
Laila Harré
Minister of Women's Affairs
Minister of Youth Affairs

Associate Minister of Commerce
Associate Minister of Labour

MINISTERS OUTSIDE CABINET

21
Judith Tizard
Minister of State

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Associate Minister of Transport
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland Issues

22
Ruth Dyson
Minister of State

Disability Issues
Associate Minister for Accident Insurance
Associate Minister of Health
Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment

23
Tariana Turia
Minister of State

Associate Minister of Maori Affairs (Social Development)
Associate Minister of Corrections
Associate Minister of Health
Associate Minister of Housing
Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Social Services)

24
Phillida Bunkle
Minister of Customs
Minister of Consumer Affairs

Associate Minister for Economic Development
Associate Minister for the Environment
Associate Minister of Women's Affairs

25
Parekura Horomia
Minister of State

Associate Minister of Maori Affairs (Economic Development)
Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Employment)
Associate Minister of Education

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY

John Wright
Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the:
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Industry and Regional Development
Minister of Revenue
Minister for Racing

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