KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark has promoted two West Auckland-based ministers, David Cunliffe and Chris Carter, to the meaty social portfolios of Health and Education respectively because of their proven communications skills as well as their fresh faces.
David Cunliffe, New Lynn MP, replaces Pete Hodgson in Health.
Mr Hodgson was perceived to be doing a good job behind the scenes but a poor job at fronting for the role.
Former secondary teacher Chris Carter, MP for Te Atatu, has become Education Minister, replacing Steve Maharey, who is retiring from politics to become vice-chancellor at Massey University.
Helen Clark's drive for rejuvenation ahead of next year's election has seen four new ministers, three in Cabinet and one outside, and two new faces on the front bench.
Mr Carter, 55, is the former Housing and Conservation Minister. Mr Cunliffe, 44, is the former Immigration Minister.
Both are regarded has having managed their previous jobs on the second bench well, but have been untested for the big step up to their new jobs on the front bench a year out from election year.
Mr Carter acknowledged the reason the Prime Minister had given him the promotion: "I think a lot of my colleagues think I'm a very good salesman.
"I think those skills around communication are skills that will be important in selling the Government's achievements in education."
Mr Carter said among his immediate priorities would be teacher supply, information technology in schools, the current teacher salary negotiations, operational funding, and the negotiation and consultation that went into setting school decile rankings.
He said he was feeling "a bit nervous" about the job.
The House is in recess this week but both new ministers will be expected to front in the House next week to be tested by their National counterparts, Tony Ryall in Health and Katherine Rich in Education.
The other major social portfolio, Social Development, has gone to Ruth Dyson.
There are a record seven women in the Cabinet of 20: Helen Clark, Annette King, Ruth Dyson, Lianne Dalziel, Nanaia Mahuta, Steve Chadwick and Maryan Street.
The PM defended her decision to give Trevor Mallard responsibility for the Environment, Labour and Broadcasting portfolios.
"There is a movement to the second bench; there is substantial portfolios change.
"There has been considerable public humiliation. I think the matter should be left there."
After fighting with National MP Tau Henare at Parliament, yesterday he lost his prized portfolios of Sport, Rugby World Cup and Economic Development, where he oversaw the Government's strategy on economic transformation, and was demoted three places to No 10 and off the front bench. He kept his position as Associate Minister of Finance.
Mr Mallard did not talk to reporters yesterday but issued a statement saying: "I made a serious mistake when I hit Tau Henare last week. I have apologised to my caucus colleagues. The Prime Minister has given me an opportunity to rehabilitate myself. I am grateful and will take it."
National leader John Key said it was "a lame exercise in recycling, not renewal".
He said no fair-minded Kiwi would view what happened to Mr Mallard yesterday as discipline.
The three new Cabinet ministers are Maryan Street in Housing and ACC; Steve Chadwick in Conservation; and Shane Jones in Building and Construction.
The new minister outside Cabinet is Darren Hughes, 29, in Statistics.
His big promotion is as deputy to Michael Cullen as Leader of the House.
That job was held by former Justice Minister Mark Burton, who has returned to the back benchers after a ministerial career plagued with controversy, most recently over his drafting of the Electoral Finance Bill.
Clayton Cosgrove will take over responsibility for that legislation.
Mr Hughes' spot was vacated by Dover Samuels in a well-signalled move to the back bench.
The formidable combination of Annette King and Phil Goff have overall responsibility for the law and order sector now, replacing Mr Burton in Justice and Damien O'Connor in Corrections.
- additional reporting: Paula Oliver and Claire Trevett
