New Zealand's PM-designate makes climate change priority

New Zealand's prime minister-designate Jacinda Ardern is making climate change a priority as she prepares to lead the country's new coalition government."This will include a zero carbon act, an independent climate change commission and making sure we have an all-gases, all-sectors Emissions Trading Scheme," the 37-year-old Labourleader declared after a first caucus meeting.On Thursday, Winston Peters - the leader of New Zealand First, whose party held the balance of power after the September 23 election produced an inconclusive result - declared his support for a Labour-led government.While the outgoing National Party took home 44.4% of the vote in the election, Labour received 36.9% and the Green Party, which signed an agreement last year pledging to work together with Labour, received 6.3%, bringing the tally of the Labour/Greenbloc to 43.2%.The right-wing populist NZ First emerged as kingmaker, picking up 7.2% of the vote.Ardern gave a glimpse about what the country can expect from the new coalition, with policy agreements to be released early next week. This included a referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use, to be held within the upcoming term as part of the agreement with the Greens.The prime minister-elect lined said NZ First will hold four positions in the new cabinet, and the Green Party will hold three positions outside of cabinet.The Labour-led government will be sworn in next Thursday.