Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins have agreed to extend the current caretaker government arrangements until a new Government is formed.
The caretaker government was only meant to be in place until Sunday, November 12, meaning relevant Labour ministers must now be sworn in again.
Hipkins said in a statement today: "Under section 6 of the Constitution Act current Ministers must leave office at 11.59pm tomorrow, Saturday 11 November.
"Given the writ has not yet been returned due to recounts and negotiations to form a new Government are progressing the simplest solution is to roll over the current caretaker arrangements for a little bit longer."
Hipkins said he wrote to Governor-General Cindy Kiro following consultation with incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon "to advise her to reappoint the current ministry to operate in caretaker mode until the new government is appointed".
The outgoing prime minister said the reappointments will be made on the papers tomorrow afternoon, and there won't be an appointment ceremony.
"Ministers will continue in their existing portfolios, except for Nanaia Mahuta, who will leave office on Saturday as she has not been re-elected.
"Grant Robertson will be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control. Willie Jackson will take over Nanaia Mahuta’s delegations as Associate Minister for Māori Development."
Hipkins said this solution to "a constitutional quirk" has been agreed on and his team will continue to consult with the incoming government on "all key decisions".
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