Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon have agreed the
Governor General will be advised to extend the current
caretaker government arrangements until a new Government is
formed.
“Under section 6 of the Constitution Act
current Ministers must leave office at 11.59pm tomorrow,
Saturday 11 November. Given the writ has not yet been
returned due to recounts and negotiations to form a new
Government are progressing the simplest solution is to roll
over the current caretaker arrangements for a little bit
longer,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Following
consultation with Christopher Luxon, I have written to the
Governor-General to advise her to reappoint the current
ministry to operate in caretaker mode until the new
government is appointed.
“The reappointments will be
made on the papers at about 1pm tomorrow– there will not
be an appointment ceremony.
“Ministers will continue
in their existing portfolios, except for Nanaia Mahuta, who
will leave office on Saturday as she has not been
re-elected.
“Grant Robertson will be appointed
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Disarmament and
Arms Control. Willie Jackson will take over Nanaia
Mahuta’s delegations as Associate Minister for Māori
Development.
“This solution to a constitutional
quirk has been amicably agreed and we continue to consult
closely with the incoming Government on all key
decisions,” Chris Hipkins
said.
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