List of New Zealand governments

Coat of arms of New Zealand (watermark)

List of New Zealand Governments refers to the sequence of governments that have governed New Zealand since its formation as a modern state in the 19th century. New Zealand operates under a parliamentary system, with its structure defined by the New Zealand Constitution Act 1986. The country is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, meaning the Head of State is a monarch, but their powers are largely ceremonial and political power is exercised by elected officials.

Overview

The Government of New Zealand is formed by the political party or coalition with the majority support in the New Zealand House of Representatives. The leader of the majority party or coalition becomes the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who is the head of government. Since the adoption of the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system in 1996, coalitions have become more common.

Historical Context

New Zealand's first government was established following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which marked the beginning of British colonial governance. The transition to a responsible government came in 1856, allowing New Zealand to self-govern while remaining a part of the British Empire.

List of Governments

The list of New Zealand governments is extensive, covering the period from the first responsible government in 1856 to the present day. Governments in New Zealand have been led by various political parties, including the New Zealand Labour Party, the New Zealand National Party, and others, reflecting the country's shifting political landscape.

19th Century

• The first responsible government (1856-1856)
• Julius Vogel's governments (1873-1875, 1876)

20th Century

• The Liberal Government of New Zealand (1891-1912)
• The Reform Government of New Zealand (1912-1928)
• The First Labour Government of New Zealand (1935-1949)
• The First National Government (1949-1957)
• The Second Labour Government of New Zealand (1957-1960)
• The Second National Government of New Zealand (1960-1972)
• The Third Labour Government of New Zealand (1972-1975)
• The Third National Government of New Zealand (1975-1984)
• The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand (1984-1990)
• The Fourth National Government of New Zealand (1990-1999)

21st Century

• The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand (1999-2008)
• The Fifth National Government of New Zealand (2008-2017)
• The Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand (2017-present)

Coalition Governments

Since the introduction of MMP, coalition governments have become the norm in New Zealand politics. This system requires parties to work together to form a government, often leading to negotiations and agreements between parties.

Governance and Political Structure

The New Zealand government operates under a framework that includes the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. The Executive is responsible for implementing laws and policies, the Legislature for making laws, and the Judiciary for interpreting laws.

See Also

• Politics of New Zealand
• Elections in New Zealand
• Prime Minister of New Zealand
• New Zealand Parliament