New Zealand appoints first Indigenous Female Foreign Minister

After her landmark electoral victory, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed New Zealand's first indigenous female foreign minister, in what is shaping up to be one of the most diverse parliaments in the world.

Nanaia Mahuta, who is from the Māori indigenous group, stated on the occasion that "I'm privileged to be able to lead the conversation in the foreign space"; as Ardern's Center-Left Labour Party was reelected in a landslide victory, winning 49.1% of the popular vote and nabbing 64 parliamentary seats, thereby winning a clear majority.

Mahuta was first elected as a member of parliament in 1996, and previously served as the minister for local government and Maori development.

Ardern's incoming parliament is slated to be one of the most diverse in the world, with almost half of the country's lawmakers being women - significantly higher than the global average of 25%. Furthermore, around 10% of the incoming parliament are openly LGBTQ.

In a statement, Ardern mentioned that "this is a cabinet and an executive that is based on merit that also happen to be incredibly diverse and I am proud of that," adding "they reflect the New Zealand that elected them.