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. A government is named (by political commentators, as well as self-referentially) for the largest party that leads it – 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. It is described by Oxford Dictionaries as "a period of government under one prime minister". 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%). 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 ) as the "sixth National Government".

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:

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)

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)

Third National Government of New Zealand (1975–1984)

Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand (1984–1990)

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).

Citations

Sources