Ex-TVNZ reporter Kris Faafoi has been overlooked for the plum broadcasting portfolio in the new Labour-led government, in favour of Dunedin South MP Clare Curran.
Full list: Who gets what in the Labour-led Government
Ms Curran takes on portfolios for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media and Government Digital Services along with associate roles in ACC and State Services.
Mr Faafoi, a minister outside Cabinet will instead be Minister of Civil Defence, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Associate Minister of Immigration.
The news came after Mr Faafoi and National MP Chris Bishop appeared on their weekly Breakfast news segment this morning, with the Labour MP tight-lipped when quizzed on the prospect of becoming the broadcasting minister.
"Are you actually going to be the new minister of broadcasting?" Hilary Barry asked as their chat began.
"I think you'd be the obviously choice for the role... and a really, really, good one."
But Mr Faafoi wouldn't reveal anything, after being announced as one of four Labour MPs to get a ministerial role outside of Cabinet, last week.
"I wouldn't tell you if I was, it'd be the shortest ministerial term, ever.
National MP Chris Bishop also thought the possible on-air break up was ‘outrageous’. (Source: Other)
"You can tell by my dead-pan expression I'm not going to say anything," he smiled.
Meanwhile, despite losing power, National MP Chris Bishop said he was proud of his friend for picking up a portfolio.
"This guy is going to be a minister," Bishop said.
"I wouldn't say this about every Labour MP but Faafs will do a good job."
Mr Bishop texted Mr Faafoi after the Cabinet announcement, and said he was "really, genuinely delighted for him", and said the pair had been planning the first parliamentary cricket game of the season.
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