Govt sworn in, now ‘a lot to do’

Jacinda Ardern was officially sworn in as prime minister yesterday morning.

She and her ministers were sworn in by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House in Wellington.

Each shook hands with Reddy before sitting at a table where Ardern signed her warrant as prime minister, and swore an oath of office.

Many ministers – such as Shane Jones and Kelvin Davis – took their oaths in Ma¯ori and, for the first time, Su’a William Sio took the oath in Samoan.

Ministers then signed documents, before a ceremony where ministerial warrants were signed by the governor-general.

Parliamentary undersecretaries then swore an oath on the Bible.

Following the ceremony, Ardern returned to Parliament for a public welcome from hundreds of people gathered on the Parliament lawns. Ardern said it wa a ‘‘privilege and an honour’’ to stand before supporters.

‘‘In front of your house, as your government,’’ Ardern said, adding they had a lot of work to do, and the Government’s goals could not be achieved alone.

Ardern told news media she would outline her new 100-day plan on Tuesday.

There would be a few changes to the plan released before the election, but not many, she said. The new 100-day plan will include a ‘‘mini Budget’’.

Ardern said she intended to honour her promise of one year free tertiary education by the start of 2018, but admitted the Government would need to move quickly.

Earlier yesterday about 20 staff gathered at the entrance to the Beehive to farewell National Party leader Bill English as he set off on his last trip as prime minister.

He also went to Government House – to hand his resignation to the governor-general.