However, the real work on who Mr Key promotes - or otherwise - in his new cabinet will have begun before the election was held.
With the retirement of some ministers, and the purgatory treatment of former justice minister Judith Collins, the Prime Minister has the opportunity to actively promote more women into his cabinet - something which urgently needs to happen.
There has been a general feeling Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee needs to go from the role he himself has made contentious through the stand-off positions adopted with former Christchurch mayor Sir Bob Parker and current mayor and former long-serving Labour MP Lianne Dalziel.
With National focusing on roading infrastructure now that it commands an absolute majority in an MMP Parliament, Mr Brownlee may be better suited focusing on his transport and Leader of the House roles.
Selwyn MP Amy Adams may get the promotion she seeks to the earthquake recovery portfolio.
Two of the most interesting changes may come through Education Minister Hekia Parata and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett being allocated new roles. Both have been in their respective portfolios for six years.
Ms Parata has retained the confidence of Mr Key, despite several missed steps along the way, while Mrs Bennett has successfully reduced the numbers of people receiving benefits.
Ms Parata is the highest-ranked female in National following the removal of Ms Collins, but Ms Bennett is only two positions behind.
Her star is shining brightly, and she is even being tipped as possibly the next National Party leader when Mr Key decides it is time to go.
Further down the list, expect significant promotion for chief whip Louise Upston and Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner.
Being chief whip usually means a path to promotion and Mrs Wagner, already a minister outside of cabinet, held her Christchurch Central electorate against all expectations.
Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye is a minister but has not proved particularly effective and, despite holding her seat in a tight battle with Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern, may continue to languish at the bottom of the cabinet list.
Beyond those women, Melissa Lee blotted her copybook in her first term and is unlikely to have made amends.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean held her seat with one of the country's largest majorities, but Mr Key will likely look north to perhaps North Shore MP and former broadcaster Maggie Barry for promotion after her resounding win in the election.
There are new women MPs, but their inexperience will count against them.
National needs to consider carefully how it attracts women to put their names forward as candidates before the next election and what it needs to do to ensure they are selected.
On the supply and confidence deals agreed so far, it appears United Future leader Peter Dunne has gained nothing for his support of the Government, apart from retaining his ministerial status.
His bottom-line policies of flexi-super and income splitting are nowhere to be seen on the agreement document.
Mr Seymour, meanwhile, becomes an under-secretary and Mr Key has agreed to continue to promote charter schools and reform of the Resource Management Act with Mr Seymour's support.
Finally, the Maori Party has yet to make a decision on its support but it is likely its co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell will be Maori affairs minister.
Attorney-general Chris Finlayson has achieved major milestones in Treaty of Waitangi settlements but Mr Flavell should follow the footsteps of his predecessor Pita Sharples and assume the portfolio.
Mr Key is skilled at stitching up coalition deals. But he also needs to look closer to home to ensure renewal and equality are seen to be priorities.
