New Zealand’s ruling National Party has appointed Finance Minister Bill English as the country’s new prime minister following last week’s shock resignation of John Key.

File photo taken onDec. 5, 2016 shows Bill English attending a press conference inWellington, New Zealand. New Zealand's ruling center-right NationalParty on Dec. 12, 2016 confirmed that Bill English is replacingoutgoing Prime Minister John Key, while the new Deputy PrimeMinister will be Paula Bennett. (Xinhua/Su Liang)

The National Party caucus met to confirm the appointment on Monday morning. English is to be officially sworn in at Government House in Wellington later today.

English said in a televised press conference that the government under his leadership would follow the same policy settings laid down under Key's eight years as the country’s leader.

English, 54, has been deputy to Key and finance minister since the National Party came to power in 2008.