New Zealand political leader David Lange assembled a shadow cabinet system amongst the Labour caucus following his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1983. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was leader (1983–84).
As the Labour Party formed the largest party not in government, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
Lange allocated portfolios on 16 March to caucus, but withheld any rankings.[1] Lange announced the rankings at the beginning of April when the parliamentary session began for the year.[2]
The list below contains a list of Lange's spokespeople and their respective roles:
| Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | 1 | Leader of the Opposition | ||
| bgcolor= | 2 | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Justice | ||
| bgcolor= | 3 | Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Marketing Shadow Minister of Tourism | ||
| bgcolor= | 4 | Shadow Minister of Finance | ||
| bgcolor= | 5 | Shadow Attorney-General | ||
| bgcolor= | 6 | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 7 | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry | ||
| bgcolor= | 8 | Shadow Minister of Education | ||
| bgcolor= | 9 | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Railways | ||
| bgcolor= | 10 | Shadow Minister of Works and Development | ||
| bgcolor= | 11 | Shadow Minister of Energy Shadow Minister of National Development | ||
| bgcolor= | 12 | Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 13 | Shadow Minister of Broadcasting Senior Whip | ||
| bgcolor= | 14 | Shadow Postmaster-General Junior Whip | ||
| bgcolor= | 15 | Shadow Minister of Health | ||
| bgcolor= | 16 | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 17 | Shadow Minister of Agriculture | ||
| bgcolor= | 18 | Shadow Minister of Lands Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Rural Banking | ||
| bgcolor= | 19 | Shadow Minister of Labour | ||
| bgcolor= | 20 | Shadow Minister of Regional Development | ||
| bgcolor= | 21 | Shadow Minister of Immigration Shadow Minister of Pacific Islands Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 22 | Shadow Minister of Customs Shadow Minister of EQC | ||
| bgcolor= | 23 | Shadow Minister of Police | ||
| bgcolor= | 24 | Shadow Minister of Forests | ||
| bgcolor= | 25 | Shadow Minister of Urban Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 26 | Shadow Minister of Civil Aviation Shadow Minister of Meteorological Services | ||
| bgcolor= | 27 | Shadow Minister for State Insurance Shadow Minister for the Government Life Office | ||
| bgcolor= | 28 | Shadow Minister of Industrial Conciliation Shadow Minister for ACC | ||
| bgcolor= | 29 | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Civil Defence | ||
| bgcolor= | 30 | Shadow Minister of Primary Industries Shadow Minister of Horticulture | ||
| bgcolor= | 31 | Shadow Minister of Arts & Culture | ||
| bgcolor= | 32 | Shadow Minister of Defence | ||
| bgcolor= | 33 | Shadow Minister of Science & Technology Shadow Minister of Statistics | ||
| bgcolor= | 34 | Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Minister of Productivity | ||
| bgcolor= | 35 | Associate Shadow Minister of Labour | ||
| bgcolor= | 36 | Shadow Minister of Housing | ||
| bgcolor= | 37 | Shadow Minister of Revenue Shadow Minister of Friendly Societies | ||
| bgcolor= | 38 | Shadow Minister for the Environment | ||
| bgcolor= | 39 | Shadow Minister of Overseas Aid Shadow Minister of Disarmament | ||
| bgcolor= | 40 | Shadow Minister of War Pensions Shadow Minister of Rehabilitation | ||
| bgcolor= | 41 | Shadow Minister of Sport & Recreation Shadow Minister of Youth Affairs | ||
| bgcolor= | 42 | Shadow Minister of Local Government | ||
| bgcolor= | 43 | Shadow Minister of State Services | ||