First term MP Hekia Parata has shot through the ranks to become a Cabinet minister.
Prime Minister John Key announced the promotion today.
Ms Parata recently did very well in last month's Mana by-election. A Labour stronghold, Kris Faafoi held the seat but Ms Parata came a close second with 9574 votes to his 10,980.
Ms Parata takes over from Pansy Wong, who resigned over allegations she used taxpayer-funded travel for her husband's business. An independent investigation has found only one instance of misuse of the benefit and Mr Key has not ruled out some future return to Cabinet.
Ms Parata becomes Ethnic Affair's and Women's Affairs Minister. She also picks up associate minister roles for ACC, energy and resources and for the community and voluntary sector. The latter is a new role and was requested by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia, who said she did not need an associate for disability issues any more.
Mr Key said Ms Parata had a strong background in the public service and had also been a successful businesswoman.
"Her competence and ability were highlighted by the excellent result she achieved for the National Party in the recent Mana by-election, after running an outstanding campaign.
"I look forward to welcoming Ms Parata to the executive."
Ms Parata will be sworn in on Wednesday afternoon.
She was elected to Parliament as a list MP in 2008 and sits on the Maori Affairs and the Emissions Trading Scheme Review select committees.
Previous positions have been with the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, Environment Ministry, Housing Corp, Te Puni Kokiri, and the State Services Commission.
She and husband Wira Gardiner have run a consultancy company since 1996. The couple have two daughters.
Ms Parata has a masters from Waikato University and has studied at Oxford and Harvard universities.