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# New Zealand appoints first openly gay deputy prime minister
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-zealand-appoints-first-openly-gay-deputy-prime-minister/
- Published: 2020-11-05T09:09:49.000Z
- Updated: 2020-11-04T14:48:12.000Z
- Description: Former finance minister Grant Robertson is now New Zealand’s first openly gay deputy prime minister after he was appointed by Jacinda Ardern.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Queer Corner, Coronavirus (Covid-19), LGBTQ, New Zealand

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/grant-robertson-1.jpg)

Former finance minister **Grant Robertson** is now **New Zealand**’s first openly gay deputy prime minister after he was appointed by **Jacinda Ardern**; he is due to be officially sworn in on Friday. The new cabinet unveiling is a victory for the LGBTQ+ community and also consists of eight women and five of Māori (the indigenous community of New Zealand) descent.

According to *[*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/02/jacinda-ardern-unveils-new-cabinet-to-focus-on-covid-19-containment-and-recovery?ref=scenemag.co.uk)*, Robertson was responsible for handling the country’s Covid-19 funding, and the government have been widely praised for their efficient response to the pandemic. When discussing his appointment as deputy, Robertson said: *“I still get a lot of emails and messages from young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who look towards us to provide that kind of role-modelling. I’ll keep doing my job the way that I’ve been doing it, but I’m very proud to have the role.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/jacinda-ardern-14-05-2019-1.jpg)

Jacinda Ardern

Following the October [elections](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-zealand-now-has-most-lgbtq-inclusive-parliament-in-the-world/), New Zealand has the most LGBTQ+ inclusive parliament in the world. Out of 120 parliamentary positions, 12 seats – up from 7 – are now held by openly LGBTQ+ members, meaning 9.6% of the cabinet is made up of queer politicians; this is over 2% more than the UK Parliament. Labour prime minister Ardern, who won in a landslide victory, also promised to increase protections for the LGBTQ+ community, saying: *“People should not be discriminated against, bullied or hurt for being who they are. We need to rally around that simple premise.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/new-zealand-pride.jpg)