John Key has concentrated his top Ministers into the economic portfolios (himself with Tourism, Bill English, Finance and Infrastructure, Gerry Brownlee, Economic Development, Energy & Resources, Simon Power, Commerce & State-Owned Enterprises) as part of the drive for growth. “This cluster of Ministers and related portfolios demonstrate that getting the economy going will be front and centre of our priorities in office.”

Other portfolios, blending experience and fresh faces, go to Tony Ryall (Health, State Services), Anne Tolley (Education), Nick Smith (Environment, Climate Change & ACC), Murray McCully (Foreign Affairs), Tim Groser (Trade, Conservation), Chris Finlayson (Attorney-General, Treaty Negotiations), Judith Collins (Corrections, Police), David Carter (Agriculture, Forestry), Wayne Mapp (Defence, Research), Steven Joyce (Transport, IT), Georgina Te Heu Heu (Courts, Pacific Affairs), Paula Bennett (Social Development), Phil Heatley (Fisheries & Housing), Pansy Wong (Ethnic & Women’s Affairs), Jonathan Coleman (Immigration, Broadcasting), Kate Wilkinson (Labour, Food Safety).

Ministers outside Cabinet include Maurice Williamson (Building, Customs), Richard Worth (Internal Affairs, Land Information), John Carter (Civil Defence, Racing). Support party Ministers are Rodney Hide (Local Govt), Heather Roy (Consumer Affairs), Pita Sharples (Maori Affairs), Tariana Turia (Community & Voluntary Sector), Peter Dunne (Revenue). Critics say the executive is too large, and some Ministers could discharge their duties most days before morning tea. But it’s the price of MMP.

For the full Cabinet go to: The 2008 Ministerial List for Announcement

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