Winston Peters to be named New Zealand Deputy PM, Foreign Minister

Ahead of the formation of the Labour-New Zealand First coalition government, Winston Peters is set to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, as incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Peters sign their coalition deal.

While the actual allocations will not be revealed until Wednesday, it is believed that Peters has again got Foreign Affairs, the portfolio he held when New Zealand first supported the 2005 - 2008 Labour Government.

Local media reports suggest that incoming Prime Minister Ardern is slated to sign a confidence and supply deal with Green Party leader James Shaw, which will set out their policy agreements and portfolios.

Ministerial numbers suggest that there will be 16 Labour leaders in the cabinet and five outside, along with four New Zealand First ministers in the cabinet with one under-secretary and three ministers in cabinet representing the Greens with one under-secretary.

On the outset, Labour had conducted specific negotiations with New Zealand First and the Greens to ensure that both sets of agreements were compatible.

On a related note, Ardern and her ministers are expected to be sworn in at Government House on Thursday. 

-ANI