Craig Foss has finally been promoted to become the latest Crown Minister.

Foss, the MP for Tukituki and chairman of finance and expenditure select committee, has long been tipped for a ministerial role and was today announced as the replacement for the retiring John Carter.

Foss becomes a minister outside of Cabinet and takes on the civil defence, racing and senior citizens portfolios vacated by Carter.

He will also be the Associate Minister of Local Government and Associate Minister of Commerce.

He will be appointed by Governor General Anand Satyanand tomorrow afternoon.

"I am sure he will do a fine job in his new role," Prime Minister John Key said.

Carter, the veteran Northland MP, leaves in August to take up the role of High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

"John has dealt with many challenging issues in his time as a Minister in this Government, most notably as Minister of Civil Defence during the Canterbury earthquakes," Key said.

Former anti-methamphetamine campaigner Mike Sabin has secured the National Party nomination to stand in Northland in the November election.

- © Fairfax NZ News