Chris Hipkins says a previously announced cabinet reshuffle will continue, and has been given a new impetus following Jacinda Ardern's resignation.
He was commenting during his first media briefing since being announed as the sole nominee to be new prime minister and Labour Party leader.
Ardern had already indicated there would be a re-shuffle early this year, as Labour seeks to set out its 2023 team.
Her successor says that will come soon.
Hipkins says he has made one exception to not commenting on the new lineup, and intends to keep Grant Robertson on as Finance Minister if Mr Robertson wishes to do so.
Labour's caucus will still meet tomorrow afternoon to endorse the nomination, but that's a formality now.
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