First up, the one you all care about: Michael Cullen is now the Minister of Tertiary Education.

Usually, one be would over the moon that someone as powerful as the Deputy PM and Finance Minister is overseeing Tertiary Education. While Cullen is undoubtedly the most experienced and competent Minister in Parliament, it is well known that he prioritises other things above students - such as health and other education. So we get lower student loans, and expanded allowances, but watch for some barbs such as increasing fees. The moderating factor is that Jim Anderton, the Governments spender, is associate minister, so will be lobbying hard for students.

Maharey has been promoted to third in Cabinet, with the Education, Education review, Sciences and Broadcasting portfolios. He'll probably be the next Labour PM.

Goff has picked up everything to do with foreign affairs BUT foreign affairs, leaving no doubt that his Labour is keeping a tight reign on international affairs. Portfolio's include Defence, Trade Negotiations, the Trade aspect of Foreign Affairs and Disarmament and Arms Control.

Annete King picks up the police portfolio, which with 1250 more police over the next three years, and the lowest crime rate in 20 years, won't be a difficult one to get right. She also has State services, and food safety. King is considered a safe pair of hands, as she has nursed our health system from nuked to world class in six years.

Trevor gets demoted, but picks up SOE's and Economic development. He also has associate finance, an indication that Labour's focus is on the economy this term.

Pete Hodgson is much like Annete King, and has picked up Health. The major challange in this portfolio is to keep costs out of control. I once heard Cullen say that, with the changing demographics of NZ you have to invest $800million just to keep the same level of service.

After this the only interesting one is David Parker, who has become the Attorney General.

New blood includes David Parker, Nanaia Mahuta and Winnie Laban - look for Labour to retire some of its older MPs such as Hawkins, Hartley and Yates mid-term in order to introduce some fresh, talented new faces. The List Candidate who just missed out was Charles Chauvel, a well-known lawyer.