New Zealand PM Ardern names finmin Robertson as new deputy prime minister

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday named finance minister Grant Robertson as the deputy prime minister in her new government after Labour Party deputy leader Kelvin Davis ruled himself out standing for the position.

Robertson will continue as the finance minister in the new Labour government, Ardern said.

A thumping election win gave Ardern the freedom to form the first single-party government since New Zealand adopted the German-style proportional voting system in 1996. But she has offered the Green Party two ministerial portfolios in her government.