He has a particular interest in social issues and has chaired Parliament's Social Services Committee.
In his new ministerial roles, he will be focusing on social housing and vulnerable children.
"I think social justice has a number of different meanings," he said yesterday.
"It doesn't matter who you are, you should have the same rights to education, to health, and employment opportunities.
"So to me, I am a big believer in that.
"On the flipside, I think what's also important is that I come from a working class background. So we're of the belief that we work hard for what we get.
"We didn't come here for handouts, we came for opportunity. And all we ask for is the same opportunity as anyone else."
Despite his Labour roots, Ngaro was drawn to the National Party by Maungakiekie MP Sam Lotu-Iiga, another compassionate conservative.
He took over the National candidacy for Te Atatu from Tau Henare in 2014 but lost to Labour's Phil Twyford by 2800 votes.
English called to give Ngaro the news about his promotion while he was leaving his church, St Giles Presbyterian, in Te Atatu and on the way to lunch at the Swanson RSA.
Mark Mitchell
(Minister for Land Information, Statistics, Assoc Minister of Justice)
Mark Mitchell is a former policeman who joined Parliament in 2011 in the safe National seat of Rodney. Before Parliament, he also worked as a private security contractor, living in Kuwait, and was involved in hostage negotiations in Afghanistan, Somalia and Darfur.
He was raised in a political family - his grandfather Frank Gill represented National in East Coast Bays and his father ran for mayor in Rodney.
Mitchell's main interest is in trade, and he has chaired the Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee, which recently considered the Trans Pacific Partnership legislation. As Land Information Minister, he will be responsible for the politically sensitive issue of overseas investment in New Zealand.
Mitchell is married to Peggy Bourne, the widow of rally driver Possum Bourne.
Jacqui Dean
(Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business, Assoc Minister for ACC, Local Government)
Jacqui Dean has kept a relatively low profile in her four terms as an MP, rising slowly up the list before her appointment as minister outside Cabinet yesterday. Her most senior role had been chairing the Law and Order Committee.
Her profile was arguably higher before Parliament, when she hosted popular children's show Play School and held a number of professional acting roles. She came into Parliament in the Otago seat - later to become Waitaki - in 2005, campaigning on water issues, a major issue in her rural electorate. During her time as an MP, she has also campaigned against party pills and hallucinogenic drug salvia.
David Bennett
(Minister of Veterans' Affairs, Food Safety, Assoc Minister of Immigration, Transport)
David Bennett entered Parliament in 2005 in the Hamilton East seat, winning the seat off Labour MP Diane Yates and holding it since. Before politics, he had a career at accountancy firm KPMG and as a dairy farmer in Te Awamutu, where he owns two farms.
As an MP, he has chaired the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee and now chairs the powerful Finance and Expenditure Committee.
A keen sportsman, he is in charge of the Parliamentary football team.
His diverse electorate includes a large Somali population.
He once raised concerns in Parliament about the treatment of Somalis by border officials in New Zealand.
Bennett is on the socially liberal side of the caucus and voted in favour of same-sex marriage in 2012.
