Mrs Bennett takes over as Minister of State Services, Women, Tourism (from previous prime minister John Key), Police (from Judith Collins) and Climate Change Issues.
Mrs Bennett will be among the busiest of ministers along with her duties of keeping back bench MPs informed and happy.
Largely, the new Cabinet looks a rehashed version of the old one but Mr English has another opportunity to change again in the middle of next year.
Previously, the Minister of Women was Louise Upston, who was outside Cabinet and ranked 24th in the Key government. Now, the portfolio is ranked among the top priorities of the English-led Government.
As forecast, Steven Joyce becomes Finance Minister but also becomes Infrastructure Minister, emphasising the importance the Government is placing on building roads and railway lines.
Two surprises in the new Cabinet are the elevation of Ms Upston to Corrections Minister and the minor demotion of Ms Collins from 14 to 16. However, the biggest demotion for Ms Collins is losing her treasured Corrections and Police portfolios. She takes over Revenue from Michael Woodhouse and becomes Energy and Resources Minister and Ethnic Communities Minister.
Mr English appears to be using the adage of keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Ms Upston received scathing criticism in her role as Minister of Women and was widely tipped to resign. However, as Corrections Minister she would have a tough job, one which was too much for retiring MP Sam Lotu-Iga.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman retained his role but Mr English indicated another reshuffle would happen on May 1 when Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Education Minister Hekia Parata left Parliament.
Until May 1, there would be 21 positions in Cabinet and a further six outside Cabinet, including two support party ministers.
Mr English said his new Cabinet line-up built on the success of the last eight years and provided new ideas and energy heading into election year.
Mr McCully would stay on for a transitional period to ensure Mr English had the benefit of his experience on the wide range of issues affecting New Zealand’s interests overseas.
"This new ministry is focused on providing prosperity, opportunity and security for all Kiwis, including the most vulnerable in our communities."
Mrs Bennett, as only the second female deputy prime minister, was well placed to take on the Women’s portfolio and represent the interests of women at the highest level of government, he said.
Several ministers retained their existing responsibilities, including Chris Finlayson, Nathan Guy, Nick Smith, Todd McClay, Maggie Barry and Nicky Wagner. Paul Goldsmith and Ms Upston were promoted into Cabinet.
Alfred Ngaro went straight into Cabinet from the back bench and Mark Mitchell, David Bennett and Jacqui Dean were promoted to ministerial positions outside cabinet. Labour deputy leader Annette King, who first became an MP in 1984, called the reshuffle "New Cabinet, same old songbook".
"This is not the rejuvenation Bill English promised. It’s a combination of the conservative, vindictiveness and mateship. His rejuvenation is one new minister in Cabinet and three ministers outside Cabinet, two of whom, [David] Bennett and Dean, have been in Parliament 11 years already."
