This week is the last week of Parliament and English is likely to unveil his new line-up before the Christmas break, giving new ministers time to read the papers and come to terms with their portfolios.
Before the talks begin in earnest there will be a small celebration. Bennett said yesterday she intended to have a glass of champagne last night before travelling to Wellington today.
Key is moving out of his ninth floor office today and English will move in on Monday. After National's caucus meets, Key will go straight to meet the Governor General at Government House and resign, after which English will go to be sworn in as Prime Minister.
The reshuffle could be bad news for some longstanding ministers.
One of English's first big tests could be his handling of his old friend Nick Smith - some backbenchers believe it is time Smith and others such as Murray McCully moved on.
Smith and English are close friends and entered Parliament together in 1990. Smith said he would do whatever English asked of him.
"The leader gets to decide and when he says 'jump' the ministers and those below say 'well, how high?'
"Bill has an incredibly challenging job to put the right mix of new blood and experience together and that is a call for Bill alone to do. In terms of any role I have, it's solely on what's right for the team."
McCully has previously said he only wished to stay on while he held the foreign affairs portfolio. He has opted to stand on the list in 2017 rather than in his East Coast Bays electorate.
Bennett was effectively anointed as English's deputy yesterday after her rival for the job, Simon Bridges, withdrew because it was clear Bennett would get the votes needed.
The current Transport Minister is expected to be considered for a more demanding portfolio. Bridges or Jonathan Coleman could be considered for Steven Joyce's economic development portfolio. English has already asked Joyce to take on the finance portfolio.
Education Minister Hekia Parata, who is leaving politics at the next election, is now more likely to be sent to pasture earlier.
Judith Collins could be a match for the education portfolio given she has now held police and corrections for much of her ministerial career. Her own tilt at the leadership has made it clear she wants a new challenge - but she is likely to face a challenge from Nikki Kaye who is also fancied for the role.
Other ministers who have made little impact could also be moved on such as Louise Upston, Jo Goodhew and Craig Foss.
Backbenchers at the top of the queue for promotion include Todd Muller, Barbara Kuriger, Alfred Ngaro, Mark Mitchell and Chris Bishop.
