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The Prime Minister has brought dumped Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels in from the political wilderness, giving him a post of an under-secretary outside Cabinet.
And, as expected, Marion Hobbs is restored to full Cabinet rank, returning as the Minister of Broadcasting and Environment.
Hobbs will take a lesser role in biosecurity and takes on new responsibilities in education.
The biosecurity portfolio will remain in the hands of Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton.
In another change, Finance Minister Michael Cullen hands over accident insurance to Lianne Dalziel.
Samuels will be under-secretary to the Minister for Economic Development, Industry and Regional Development - Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton.
The return of Hobbs was no surprise, but the resurrection of Samuels' career signals a dramatic change of heart by Helen Clark.
"We have cleared the air. We have an understanding between us and I'm pleased to see him back," said Clark. "I regard this as a first step. We are going to re-evaluate again in the course of the year."
Samuels said the Prime Minister has acknowledged the deep hurt to his family.
And Clark says she is satisfied she will get no more surprises about the former minister's past.
Meanwhile, Hobbs has returned with no regrets about stepping aside.
"The incredible pressure on me as a human being meant that I just kept dissolving all the time," Hobbs said.
But the opposition is determined to target Hobbs on her return.
National's Roger Sowry said ministers who do not perform can expect to get more of their fair share of questions and "she is one of them".
Phillida Bunkle is now the only former minister whose future is uncertain as she awaits the report of the Registrar of Electors.
