PM Bill English's new Cabinet was a boon for Bridges, and others.

Bill English is expected to give big promotions to ministers Simon Bridges, Amy Adams, and Nikki Kaye, who is recovering from breast cancer.

National Party cabinet reshuffle- Rotorua MP Todd McClay remains Minister of Trade and Minister for State Owned Enterprises- He moves

COMMENT: It's always been my dream to be the interim Prime Minister. And now here I am. It feels...unreal. It feels...not quite real.

COMMENT: This is not a good time to come into the front line of a govt if you are a young, ambitious politician with all the attributes to be a great PM.

The new cabinet Prime Minister Bill English unveils tomorrow will be assembled with two objectives in mind.

Thirty years after homosexuality was legalised in New Zealand, gay and bisexual men with historic convictions may be pardoned.

COMMENT: Politics can be a nasty, thankless business, especially when you're the leader.

Foss' retirement announcement gives English four ministerial vacancies and 10 per cent of seats are up for change.

Paula Bennett talks to political editor Audrey Young about her new backroom role with the National Party caucus.

The very health and safety changes which the Pike River disaster prompted make re-entering the mine difficult, Prime Minister Bill English says.

New Prime Minister Bill English will unveil his new Cabinet on Sunday.

If Bill English was as superstitious as his predecessor, he would be a bit nervous that when he is asked about Andrew Little an earthquake strikes.

COMMENT: The Labour Party was quietly thrilled after getting over the shock of John Key's resignation as PM and his endorsement of Bill English.

Not many new Prime Ministers kick off their tenure with a U-turn and by quoting poetry. But Bill English did.

Bill English delivered a few surprises in his first media appearance, including poetry, a u-turn on gay marriage and a nod to the trade unions.

New National Party leader Bill English has revealed he would vote in favour of same-sex marriage if another vote was held.

Bill English said he looked forward to leading the country in a statement to the press today.

It was out with the old and in with the new on the ninth floor of the Beehive yesterday as PM John Key marked his final day in the job by packing up his office.

Incoming PM Bill English and his deputy Paula Bennett will meet in Wellington today to start hammering out the team they want to take into 2017 election.

COMMENT: The most common question in politics is, "Why not me?" That's the question National MPs have spent the week asking.

A week has never seemed such a long time in politics.

Bronagh Key made her first public appearance yesterday since her husband's shock resignation as Prime Minister.

COMMENT: Much has been made of English and Bennett's polarities - man and woman, Aucklander and South Islander, quiet and loud, solo mum and family man.

Simon Bridges has withdrawn from the contest to be National's deputy leader today - handing it to Paula Bennett.

The advantage Bill English has when he forms his new Government next week is that he won't be burdened by high expectations.

Reputation studiously rebuilt after a political mauling 14 years ago, the new PM now has chance to right the record, writes Claire Trevett.

COMMENT: As we farewell a gifted PM we are about to get a more combative one. John Key's politics have been emollient, Bill English is abrasive.

Paula Bennett is a handful of votes away from becoming New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister.

New Zealand's new Prime Minister is a former farmer and literature student from smalltown Southland who once described himself as "specialising in being boring".