New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern was formally sworn-in for her second term as prime minister on Friday, along with her ministers who make up the country's most diverse Cabinet ever.
Among those sworn-in on Friday were newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, the first openly gay person to hold the position, and Nanaia Mahuta, the first Maori woman to become foreign minister.
According to local media, of those in the Cabinet, 40 percent are women, 25 percent are Maori, 15 percent identify as LGBT and 15 percent are of Pacific islander background.
"Sitting at this table is Aotearoa New Zealand," Ardern said at the ceremony, using the Maori name for the nation of roughly 5 million.
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"They collectively represent a range of different perspectives. They represent huge talent. They represent a broad set of experiences."
The swearing-in of the Cabinet came on the same day that official results were announced for the country's general election and referenda on the legalization of recreational cannabis and euthanasia.
Results of the vote, which was held in October, saw the Labour Party gain an extra seat to hold 65 seats in the 120-seat parliament, solidifying its majority government.
In the referenda, New Zealanders voted to legalize assisted dying with 65.1 percent of voters supporting the act. However, legalization of recreational cannabis was narrowly voted down with only 48.4 percent of people supporting the proposition.
Speaking at her first post-Cabinet press conference since the election win, Ardern said the government has no plans to go against the referendum outcome and ease cannabis laws, but will adhere to a "health-based approach" to possession of the drug under which police have discretion to direct the individual to help, not prosecution.
