Jacinda Ardern appoints first openly gay deputy PM and foreign minister with Maori face tattoo

Jacinda Ardern’s new cabinet includes strong representation from ethnic and sexual minorities

New Zealand’s new deputy prime minister Grant Robertson interacts with the media

New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed the country’s first openly gay deputy prime minister after her landslide victory in general elections last month.

Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson was named deputy prime minister, becoming the first openly gay politician to take the role, while he also retaining the finance portfolio. 

The new cabinet, Ms Arden said, was “incredibly diverse” and included strong representation from minorities and women.

Ms Ardern has assigned several indigenous Maori lawmakers to top positions, including Nanaia Mahuta, who has a moko kauae – a traditional Maori tattoo on the chin – and will take on the role of foreign minister, and Kelvin Davis, who will be minister for children.

Mr Robertson has long been a close friend and political ally of Prime Minister Ardern and was the chief strategist of Ms Arden’s election campaign. He said he has tried to be a minister for all New Zealanders, but also thinks it's important for younger members of the LGBT+ community to see people they identify with, taking on top roles.

"I still get a lot of emails and messages from young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who look towards us to provide that kind of role-modelling," Mr Robertson said. "So, I'll keep doing my job the way that I've been doing it, but I'm very proud to have the role."

Mr Robertson replaces Winston Peters as deputy prime minister after Peters and his New Zealand First party failed to get re-elected. Kelvin Davis was expected to take on the role but said he turned it down to focus on his other responsibilities.

Ms Ardern said all the positions were assigned on merit.

"I think one of the amazing things about New Zealand is that we are often in a space now where all of these questions (about diversity) become secondary," she said. "The representation is there. And that is not the first consideration."

The Labour Party won an outright majority in Parliament in the general elections last month following the success of the government in containing the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time any party had achieved a full majority since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago.

The Labour Party nevertheless signed a "cooperation agreement" with the Green Party on Sunday, which says the two parties will work together on climate, environment and child-wellbeing issues. Two Green Party lawmakers have been given ministerial roles outside of cabinet.

One Greens co-leader, James Shaw, will become climate change minister and the other, Marama Davidson, will have a portfolio focusing on preventing family and sexual violence.

Ms Ardern demoted some ministers considered to have underperformed during her first term, including Phil Twyford, who lost his transport portfolio. He will remain a lower-ranked minister outside of cabinet.

The new government will be sworn in on Friday.

Additional reporting by agencies