Carmel Sepuloni was New Zealand's first MP of Tongan descent in 2008.
Now, 15 years on, she's set to make history again as the first deputy prime minister of Pasifika descent.
She's the middle child of three daughters, to a Samoan-Tongan father who was a freezing worker and unionist, and Pākehā mother from a farming background.
Her appointment is welcome news to many RNZ spoke to in her electorate.
Pacific community leader Sir Collin Tukuitonga spoke to Corin Dann.
