List of New Zealand governments explained

The New Zealand Government exercises executive power in New Zealand. This article lists spans of government under a party or coalition, as well as ministries under a prime minister. There have been three distinctly different periods of government in New Zealand—firstly, the period before responsible government; second, from 1856 to 1890, the period of responsible government; and the third period started with the formation of political parties in 1891.

Guide to list

This article lists the successive governments of New Zealand since 1856. The first government which formed along political lines did not appear until 1891, when John Ballance formed the Liberal Party and the Liberal Government.[1] A government is named (by political commentators, as well as self-referentially) for the largest party that leads it[2] [3] [4] – though compare the United–Reform coalition Government of 1931–1935.

The term 'ministry', as used in this article, refers collectively to all the ministers who direct the government.[5] It is described by Oxford Dictionaries as "a period of government under one prime minister".[6] At the same time, a period of government under a particular party might be led by a succession of prime ministers and comprise multiple ministries. The ministry includes all government ministers, inside and outside of cabinet alike (up to the introduction of MMP in 1996, most ministers were in the cabinet). Elections do not cause dissolution of the ministry unless they result in the government's defeat.

Since the introduction of MMP in 1996, most New Zealand governments have comprised coalitions of two or more political parties, whether coalescing before and/or after general elections; thus referring to such governments as "nth National Government" or as "nth Labour Government" simplifies somewhat. An exception to this occurred in 2020, when the incumbent Labour Government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, received a 'clear majority' (over 50%).[7] In 2023, the National Party won the most seats and formed a coalition government with two smaller parties—the government is referred to by the media (and prospectively by the National Party itself[8]) as the "sixth National Government".[9] [10]

List of ministries

Period without responsible Government (1854–1856)

The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and was the second enactment to grant the colony of New Zealand self-government. The first elections for a New Zealand House of Representatives were held during 1853, and this lower house met for the first time in 1854 in Auckland. In practice, the country was initially governed by the Governor, George Grey, with the advice of the Civil Secretary and some officials that were appointed back in 1840/41, namely Andrew Sinclair (Colonial Secretary), William Swainson (Attorney-General), and Alexander Shepherd (Colonial Treasurer).

In the first session of the 1st New Zealand Parliament, three elected members took office under the leadership of James FitzGerald, to be later joined by two members of the Legislative Council. Whilst they were the first official Executive Government under the Constitution, the practical administration remained with the Government officials. The second Ministry led by Thomas Forsaith, which briefly formed during the second session of the 1st Parliament, also had no real power.

Cabinet Government (1856–1890)

Responsible government commenced with the third ministry, led by Henry Sewell during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament:

18 April 1856 to 20 May 1856

Note that Wilson says: "Ministry was defeated on 15 August 1866 and resigned, but carried on in a caretaker capacity. However 3 Ministers resigned and were replaced. Though this was regarded as a new ministry, it was in fact a reconstruction, and is so regarded here."

28 June 1869 to 10 September 1872

Note that the Continuous Ministry is a term for the government of New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 (or 1887), except for 1877–79 and 1884–87. Sir Harry Atkinson was Premier, also Sir John Hall and Sir Frederick Whitaker. The Scarecrow Ministry of 1889–90 is sometimes included in the term.

Liberal Government of New Zealand (1891–1912)

Reform Government of New Zealand (1912–1928)

United Government of New Zealand (1928–1931)

United–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand (1931–1935)

First Labour Government of New Zealand (1935–1949)

Note: The War Cabinet was responsible for all decisions related to war matters. The War Administration was charged with the responsibility for all matters connected with the war and with New Zealand's war effort. The War Cabinet acted as its executive body. Both included opposition members.

Note: Wood has three Fraser Ministries: 1 April 1940 to 29 October 1943; 29 October 1943 to 19 December 1946; 19 December 1946 to 13 December 1949.

First National Government of New Zealand (1949–1957)

Second Labour Government of New Zealand (1957–1960)

Second National Government of New Zealand (1960–1972)

Third Labour Government of New Zealand (1972–1975)

Note: while Rowling was sworn in on 6 September, his ministers were not sworn in until 10 September

Third National Government of New Zealand (1975–1984)

Note: Wood has three Muldoon Ministries: 12 December 1975 to 13 December 1978; 13 December 1978 to 11 December 1981; 11 December 1981 to 26 July 1984

Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand (1984–1990)

Note: Geoffrey Palmer succeeded David Lange as Prime Minister on 8 August 1989; his ministers were appointed on 14 August 1989. Palmer was succeeded by Mike Moore on 4 September 1990. Moore made no separate ministerial appointments from those already appointed by Palmer.

Fourth National Government of New Zealand (1990–1999)

Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand (1999–2008)

Fifth National Government of New Zealand (2008–2017)

Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand (2017–2023)

Sixth National Government of New Zealand (2023–present)

Graphical timeline

Note: Colours signify the largest party within each government, i.e. the senior partner in a coalition government (with the exception of the United–Reform coalition).

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: McLintock. Alexander Hare. Liberal Party. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 3 November 2017. en. 22 April 2009. Originally published in 1966.
  2. Book: Boston. Jonathan. Holland. Martin. The Fourth Labour Government: Politics and Policy in New Zealand. 1990. Oxford University Press. 9780195582130.
  3. Book: Garfield. Norton Fausto. Fifth National Government of New Zealand. 2012. Anim Publishing. 9786138498315. en.
  4. News: Hickey . Bernard . It's the Sixth Labour Government . . 9 November 2018 . 20 October 2017.
  5. Web site: Fraser. Malcolm. The New Zealand Parliamentary Record: Being a Record of the Constitution, Successive Governors, Parliaments, and Ministries, Etc., and Containing an Alphabetical Roll of Members of Both Houses of Parliament Until September 1913, and of Members of Provincial Councils. Government Printer. 6 February 2017. 1 January 1913.
  6. Web site: Definition for ministry – Oxford Dictionaries Online (US English) . Oxforddictionaries.com . 6 February 2017.
  7. Web site: 2020 General Election official results. Elections. 3 February 2023.
  8. Luxon . Christopher . Speech: Campaign Launch . New Zealand National Party . . en-NZ . 3 September 2023 . Wellington.
  9. News: Cooke . Henry . How much of Labour's legacy will survive? A comprehensive analysis . 12 December 2023 . . 18 October 2023 . en.
  10. Web site: New Zealand: Deputy PM's comments a threat to press freedom . www.ifj.org . . 12 December 2023 . en . 30 November 2023.
  11. Evening Post (Wellington) 8 December page 1 & 10 December page 1

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