It's on the bus for a big day at the office

By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter

Some ministers swept into the grounds of Government House in their leather-lined, gold-coloured ministerial cars.

Others chose a less swanky form of transport, preferring to clamber on a big green bus for the trip from the Beehive to the scene of their swearing-in as new Government ministers.

Rick Barker, Phil Goff and Paul Swain were among those who took the bus. Mr Swain joked that it was probably appropriate for the country's new Transport Minister.

The three Labour MPs were among 26 ministers and two parliamentary under-secretaries sworn in by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright in the elegantly furnished Government House ballroom yesterday.

Prime Minister Helen Clark went first, swearing her allegiance to the Queen and promising to serve the country to the best of her ability. Her parents, George and Margaret, watched proudly as Dame Silvia signed the warrant to make their daughter Prime Minister for another three years.

Then her ministers stood to swear an oath of allegiance.

The ceremony was fairly tedious and journalists amused themselves by wondering who would swear on the Bible and who would take an affirmation.

Only a handful chose the Bible: Jim Anderton, George Hawkins, John Tamihere, Dover Samuels, Damien O'Connor and Harry Duynhoven.

Dame Silvia said New Zealanders were relying on the ministers to manage the country's affairs well and to exercise good judgment. The qualities of a good minister included intelligence, balance, wisdom, humanity and leadership, she said.

Helen Clark responded by adding one other attribute to the list - humility.

We are here as public servants, she reminded her ministers before they headed off for a group photo and drinks with family and friends.

It was a big day for new Conservation and Local Government Minister Chris Carter, who became the country's first openly gay minister.

He was accompanied to the ceremony by his partner of 29 years, Peter Kaiser. "It's a day we're never going to forget," Mr Carter said.

"I'm proud to be an out gay man representing not just my constituents in Te Atatu but also the gay and lesbian community, and showing that New Zealand is a tolerant and inclusive society."

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