New Zealand's incoming Prime Minister John Key informed Governor-General Anand Satyanand Sunday he has the numbers to govern after signing confidence and supply agreements with three parties.

Key had earlier signaled his intention to Satyanand at a meeting on Sunday morning.

In a series of governing arrangements, ACT Party, the United Future Party and the Maori Party have all signed agreements and committed themselves to vote with the National Party on confidence and supply issues.

In return, members of all three parties have been given ministerial positions outside Cabinet.

National has dropped plans to scrap the Maori seats as part of its agreement with the Maori Party and will review the foreshore and seabed legislation.

Key said if a review leads to changes to the law, protection will be put in place to ensure all New Zealanders can still go to the beach.

As part of the deal, the Maori Party co-leader, Pita Sharples, has been appointed Minister of Maori Affairs outside Cabinet and his fellow co-leader, Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, also outside Cabinet.

United Future party leader and the party's sole Member of Parliament Peter Dunne retains his position as Minister of Revenue outside Cabinet.

ACT Party leader Rodney Hide and list MP Heather Roy have been appointed ministers outside Cabinet.

Hide will be the Minister of Local Government and Regulatory Reform while Mrs Roy will be the Minister of Consumer Affairs.

Key will announce his cabinet on Monday.

Key plans to be sworn in by Wednesday so he can leave the next day for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation informal leaders meeting in Peru.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2008)