Ms Ardern and her ministers were sworn in by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy in a ceremony in Wellington on Friday morning.

The incoming government were joined by their families and close staff in Government House's ball room as they each took the oath of allegiance.

Ms Ardern saluted her new team, which has been hailed for its diversity.

"As a team this group of people have been described in many different ways," Ms Ardern said, to laughter.

"I say simply that sitting at this table is Aotearoa New Zealand.

"They collectively represent a range of different perspectives. They represent huge talent. They represent a broad set of experiences.

"And as you would expect in any time of crisis as New Zealanders, they have a huge commitment to serving this country."

Ministers gave their oaths in a variety of languages: the prime minister and most others spoke in English, others did so in te reo Maori, New Zealand's indigenous language.

Poto Williams, the newly-appointed police minister, also spoke in Cook Islands Maori, while courts and Pacific peoples minister Aupito William Sio, gave an allegiance in Samoan.

The otherwise decidedly vice-regal and traditional affair featured other modernised elements.

For the first time, the ceremony included a traditional Maori welcome and prayer - a karanga and a karakia.

Ministers also received their warrants of appointment in te reo Maori, the country's indigenous language, for the first time.

The occasion didn't pass without without hiccup.

In a vice-regal blunder, the finance minister and deputy prime minister was called up as the "Right Honourable" Grant Robertson, a title reserved for the prime minister, before he was sworn in as simply "Honourable".

The Executive Council clerk, Michael Webster, also mispronunced a number of Maori names, including defence minister Peeni Henare.

Australian Associated Press