Winston Peters has been offered the role of Deputy Prime Minister in NZ First's coalition agreement with Labour.
Both leaders signed the agreement on Tuesday afternoon. The Greens and Labour sign their confidence and supply arrrangement at 4pm.
The agreements are not legally-binding documents, but if the parties are to work together effectively, their contents will need to be honoured.
NZ First has been offered four ministerial positions inside cabinet and one under-secretary role. The Greens has been offered three ministerial roles outside cabinet and one under-secretary role.
Newshub will live stream both signings.
This live updates article is now over.
5:43pm - Ardern to meet Ireland's President
Jacinda Ardern will meet with President of Ireland Michael D Higgins tomorrow morning.
Ministerial portfolios will be announced at 11:30am, which is when we'll find out whether Winston Peters is picking up his old job again - Minister of Racing.
4:57pm - 100 million trees
As part of its regional development plan, the new Government has agreed to plant 100 million trees per year. It's called the Billion Trees Planting Programme.
Let's break that down.
If workers planted on all 365 days of the year, that's 273,973 trees each day.
If teams worked eight hours a day, that's 34,247 trees an hour. That's 571 trees a minute.
Tree-planting initiative Trees that Count was formed in November 2016 to make a difference to climate change by planting native trees. Its tree count is just over 11 million, planted by 338 volunteers.
4:40pm - Bill and Paula to stay on
National leader Bill English and deputy leader Paula Bennett will remain in their roles after the caucus re-elected Mr English.
4:17pm - Green Party policy gains
The Greens have gained:
- "Overhaul" of the welfare system - ensuring access to entitlements and removing "excessive sanctions."
- Ensure children with special needs can participate in school.
- Substantial increase to the number of insultated homes.
- Elimination of gender pay gap in the core public sector.
- A Rent to Own scheme to be developed as part of Labour's Kiwibuild.
- Zero Carbon Act and an independent Climate Commission.
- Climate impact analysis on all new policy.
- Auckland’s East-West motorway link scrapped.
- Work to begin on light rail to Auckland Airport.
- Prioritise safe cycling and walking, especially around schools.
- Plan a transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035.
- A Government-backed Green Investment Fund of $100 million.
- Significant increase to the Department of Conservation's funding.
- Free counselling for under-25s.
- "Use best endeavours and work alongside Māori to establish the Kermadec/ Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary and look to establish a Taranaki blue whale sanctuary."
- Te Tiriti to be honoured as New Zealand's founding document.
- Referendum on legalising personal use of cannabis at or by the 2020 election.
- Increase funding for alcohol and drug addiction services.
4:08pm - "I don't need to be influenced on climate change"
Ms Ardern says she's "entirely comfortable" with the Minister of Climate Change sitting outside cabinet because, she said, climate change will sit at the heart of what the Government does.
3:56pm - Deal with Greens to be released
Labour's confidence and supply arrangement with the Greens will be signed at 4pm.
Newshub is livestreaming it here.
3:11pm - Policy concessions
Some notable policies gained by NZ First:
- A $1b per year Regional Development Fund, including investment in regional rail, planting 100 million trees a year, a feasibility study on moving the Ports of Auckland, giving "Northport serious consideration."
- The Reserve Bank Act will be reviewed and reformed.
- The minimum wage will increase to $20/hour by 2020.
- Free doctors' visits for under 14s.
- Free driver training for all secondary students.
- Develop a 30 year strategic plan for New Zealand education.
- Stive toward 1800 additional new Police officers over three years.
- Increased funding for family violence networks, including Shakti Youth and Women's Refuge.
- A new-generation SuperGold smartcard.
- "Significantly increase" Department of Conservation funding.
- Piloting alternatives to 1080.
- Royalty on bottled water exports.
- "Work with Māori and other quota holders to resolve outstanding issues in the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill in a way that is satisfactory to both Labour and New Zealand First."
- A Waka Jumping Bill.
- Commit to Pike River re-entry.
- Support for NZ First's racing policy.
3:05pm - Winston Peters to be Deputy Prime Minister
Winston Peters will be Deputy Prime Minister.
"New Zealand First will have four Ministers inside Cabinet, including Rt Hon Winston Peters as Deputy Prime Minister, and one Parliamentary Under-Secretary," the coalition agreement says.
The agreement doesn't outline who gets what - that will be announced tomorrow - but NZ First has also been offered the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Regional Economic Development, Internal Affairs, Seniors, Defence, Veterans' Affairs, Children, Forestry, State Owned Enterprises, Racing, Associate Finance, Associate Education and an Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Regional Economic Development.
3pm - Deals are signed
Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters are currently signing the coalition agreement that has supported Labour into power.
Ms Ardern says the majority of New Zealanders voted for change.
2:34pm - Insulation
Labour, the Greens and NZ First all support both insulation grants and a rental warrant of fitness.
Labour's policy is to provide 600,000 grants to a maximum of $2000 for insulation and heating. NZ First would provide $1000 insulation subsidies to half a million homes.
2:27pm - An end to National Standards
Education is one of the areas likely to see one major change.
Labour, NZ First and the Greens all have policy to abolish National Standards. All three parties say teachers are spending too much time on testing and support a wider definition of success under the New Zealand Curriculum.
One of Labour's education policies is to give schools that don't ask for donations $150 per student.
Newshub.
