List of New Zealand ministries
Encyclopedia
This article lists New Zealand ministries, which are ruling groups of Ministers in New Zealand
. There are three distinctly different periods; firstly the period during the 1st New Zealand Government without responsible government, then from 1856 to 1890 the period of responsible Government, and the first period started with the formation of political parties in 1891.
Ministries are in modern usage cabinets
or governments; although this definition excludes Ministers outside Cabinet (up to the introduction of MMP
in 1996
, most ministers were in the Cabinet).
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 member 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.
commenced with the third ministry, led by Henry Sewell
during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
:
First Liberal Government of New Zealand
Reform Government of New Zealand
United Government of New Zealand
First Labour Government of New Zealand
First National Government of New Zealand
Second Labour Government of New Zealand
Second National Government of New Zealand
Third Labour Government of New Zealand
Third National Government of New Zealand
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
Note: On 4 September 1990 Mike Moore succeeded Geoffrey Palmer as Prime Minister. Wood has a gap between the Lange Ministry and the Palmer/Moore Ministry from 4 to 14 August 1989.
Fourth National Government of New Zealand
Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand
Fifth National Government of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. There are three distinctly different periods; firstly the period during the 1st New Zealand Government without responsible government, then from 1856 to 1890 the period of responsible Government, and the first period started with the formation of political parties in 1891.
Ministries are in modern usage cabinets
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
or governments; although this definition excludes Ministers outside Cabinet (up to the introduction of MMP
Mixed member proportional representation
Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world...
in 1996
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
, most ministers were in the Cabinet).
Period without responsible Government 1854–1856
The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852New Zealand Constitution Act 1852
The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted self-government to the colony of New Zealand...
was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
and was the second enactment to grant the colony of New Zealand self-government
Self-governing colony
A self-governing colony is a colony with an elected legislature, in which politicians are able to make most decisions without reference to the colonial power with formal or nominal control of the colony...
. The first elections for a New Zealand House of Representatives
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
were held during 1853, and this lower house met for the first time in 1854 in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. In practice, the country was initially governed by the Governor
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
, George Grey
George Grey
George Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
, with the advice of the Civil Secretary and some officials that were appointed back in 1840/41, namely Andrew Sinclair
Andrew Sinclair (botanist)
Andrew Sinclair was a British surgeon who was notable for his botanical collections. He served as New Zealand's second Colonial Secretary.-Early life:...
(Colonial Secretary), William Swainson
William Swainson (lawyer)
William Swainson was born in Lancaster, England on 25 April 1809 and educated in Lancaster Grammar School. His legal education was in Middle Temple and he was called to the bar in 1838...
(Attorney-General
Attorney-General (New Zealand)
The Attorney-General is a political office in New Zealand. It is simultaneously a ministerial position and an administrative office, and has responsibility for supervising New Zealand law and advising the government on legal matters...
), and Alexander Shepherd (Colonial Treasurer
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
).
In the first session of the 1st New Zealand Parliament
1st New Zealand Parliament
The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election . It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election...
, three elected member took office under the leadership of James FitzGerald
James FitzGerald
James Edward FitzGerald was a New Zealand politician. According to some historians, he should be considered the country's first Prime Minister, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor should properly be given that title. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand...
, to be later joined by two members of the Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
. 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
Thomas Forsaith
Thomas Spencer Forsaith, JP , was a New Zealand politician and an Auckland draper. According to some historians, he was the country's second Premier, although a more conventional view states that neither he nor his predecessor should properly be given that title.-Early life:Forsaith was born in...
, which briefly formed during the second session of the 1st Parliament, also had no real power.
- Unofficial members: Fitzgerald Ministry, 1854; 14 June 1854 to 2 August 1854
- Unofficial members: Forsaith Ministry, 1854; 31 August 1854 to 2 September 1854
Cabinet Government 1856–1890
Responsible governmentResponsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
commenced with the third ministry, led by Henry Sewell
Henry Sewell
Henry Sewell was a prominent 19th century New Zealand politician. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first Premier, having led the Sewell Ministry in 1856.-Early life:Sewell was born on 7 September 1807 in the town of...
during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
2nd New Zealand Parliament
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election...
:
- Sewell Ministry, 1856Sewell Ministry, 1856The Sewell Ministry was the first responsible government in New Zealand. It formed in 1856, but lasted only one month, from 18 April to 20 May. From 7 May onwards, Henry Sewell was Colonial Secretary, considered to be the equivalent of Prime Minister...
: 18 April 1856 to 20 May 1856 - FoxWilliam Fox (New Zealand)Sir William Fox, KCMG was the second Premier of New Zealand on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his eventual support of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system , and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from...
Ministry, 1856: 20 May 1856 to 2 June 1856 - StaffordEdward Stafford (politician)Sir Edward Stafford, KCMG served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.-Early life and career:Edward William Stafford...
Ministry, 1856–61: 2 June 1856 to 12 July 1861 - Fox Ministry, 1861–62: 12 July 1861 to 6 August 1862
- DomettAlfred DomettAlfred Domett, CMG was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier.-Early life:He was born at Camberwell, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner...
Ministry, 1862–63: 6 August 1862 to 30 October 1863 - WhitakerFrederick WhitakerSir Frederick Whitaker, KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the fifth Premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.-Early life:...
-Fox Ministry, 1863–64: 30 October 1863 to 24 November 1864 - WeldFrederick WeldSir Frederick Aloysius Weld, GCMG , was a New Zealand politician and a governor of various British colonies. He was the sixth Premier of New Zealand, and later served as Governor of Western Australia, Governor of Tasmania, and Governor of the Straits Settlements.-Early life:Weld was born near...
Ministry, 1864–65: 24 November 1864 to 16 October 1865 - Stafford Ministry, 1865–69: 16 October 1865 to 28 June 1869
- 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."
- Fox Ministry, 1869–72: 28 June 1869 to 10 September 1872
- Stafford Ministry, 1872: 10 September 1872 to 11 October 1872
- WaterhouseGeorge Marsden WaterhouseGeorge Marsden Waterhouse was a Premier of South Australia from 8 October 1861 until 3 July 1863 and the seventh Premier of New Zealand from 11 October 1872 to 3 March 1873.-Early life:...
Ministry, 1872–73: 11 October 1872 to 3 March 1873 - Fox Ministry, 1873: 3 March 1873 to 8 April 1873
- VogelJulius VogelSir Julius Vogel, KCMG was the eighth Premier of New Zealand. His administration is best remembered for the issuing of bonds to fund railway construction and other public works...
Ministry, 1873–75: 8 April 1873 to 6 July 1875 - PollenDaniel PollenDaniel Pollen was the son of Elizabeth and Hugh Pollen and became the ninth Premier of New Zealand, serving from 6 July 1875 to 15 February 1876.-Early life:...
Ministry, 1875–76: 6 July 1875 to 15 February 1876 - Vogel Ministry, 1876: 15 February 1876 to 1 September 1876
- AtkinsonHarry AtkinsonHenry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...
Ministry, 1876: 1 September 1876 to 13 September 1876 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - Atkinson Ministry, 1876–77 (Reconstituted): 13 September 1876 to 13 October 1877 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - GreyGeorge GreyGeorge Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
Ministry, 1877–79: 13 October 1877 to 8 October 1879 - Hall Ministry, 1879–82: 8 October 1879 to 21 April 1882 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - Whitaker Ministry, 1882–83: 21 April 1882 to 25 September 1883 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - Atkinson Ministry, 1883–84: 25 September 1883 to 16 August 1884 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884: 16 August 1884 to 28 August 1884
- Atkinson Ministry, 1884: 28 August 1884 to 3 September 1884 (Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
) - Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884–87: 3 September 1884 to 8 October 1887
- Atkinson Ministry, 1887–91: 8 October 1887 to 24 January 1891 (known as the Scarecrow Ministry)
- Note the Continuous MinistryContinuous MinistryThe Continuous Ministry or Continuous Cabinet was an informal designation used to describe two nineteenth century colonial governments: in Queensland, Australia from 1890 to 1899; and in New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 except for 1877-79 & 1884-87....
is a term for the government of New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 (or 1887), except for 1877–79 and 1884–87. Sir Harry AtkinsonHarry AtkinsonHenry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...
was Premier, also Sir John HallJohn Hall (New Zealand)Sir John Hall was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, and later became the 12th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was also Mayor of Christchurch.-Migration to New Zealand:...
and Sir Frederick WhitakerFrederick WhitakerSir Frederick Whitaker, KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the fifth Premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.-Early life:...
. The Scarecrow Ministry of 1889–90 is sometimes included in the term.
First Liberal Government of New ZealandFirst Liberal Government of New ZealandThe First Liberal Government of New Zealand was the first responsible government in New Zealand politics organised along party lines. The Government formed following the founding of the Liberal Party and took office on the 24 January 1891, and governed New Zealand for over 21 years until 10 July...
(1891–1912)
- Ballance Ministry, 1891-93: 24 January 1891 to 1 May 1893
- Seddon Ministry, 1893-1906: 1 May 1893 to 21 June 1906
- Hall-Jones Ministry, 1906: 21 June 1906 to 6 August 1906
- Ward Ministry, 1906-1912: 6 August 1906 to 28 March 1912
- MacKenzie Ministry, 1912: 28 March 1912 to 10 July 1912
Reform Government of New ZealandReform Government of New ZealandThe Reform Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1912 to 1928. It is perhaps best remembered for its anti-trade union stance in the Waihi miners' strike of 1912 and a dockworkers' strike the following year...
(1912–28)
- Massey Ministry, 1912-1915: 10 July 1912 to 12 August 1915
- National Ministry, 1915-1919: 12 August 1915 to 3 September 1919 (?)
- Massey Ministry, 1919-1925: 4 September 1919 to 14 May 1925
- Bell Ministry, 1925: 14 May 1925 to 30 May 1925
- Coates Ministry, 1925-1928: 30 May 1925 to 10 December 1928
United Government of New ZealandUnited Government of New ZealandThe United Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1928 to 1931, defeating the long-lived Reform Government. The United Party had been formed in 1927 from the remnants of the Liberal Party under Sir Joseph Ward, who had made a political comeback. But Ward was in poor health...
(1928–31)
- Ward Ministry, 1928-1930: 10 December 1928 to 28 May 1930
- Forbes Ministry, 1930-1931: 28 May 1930 to 22 September 1931
Liberal–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand (1931–35)
- Forbes (Coalition) Ministry, 1931-1935: 22 September 1931 to 6 December 1935
First Labour Government of New ZealandFirst Labour Government of New ZealandThe First Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1935 to 1949. It set the tone of New Zealand's economic and welfare policies until the 1980s, establishing a welfare state, a system of Keynesian economic management, and high levels of state intervention...
(1935–49)
- Savage Ministry, 1935-1940: 6 December 1935 to 1 April 1940
- Fraser Ministry, 1940-1949: 1 April 1940 to 13 December 1949
- "War Cabinet": 16 July 1940 to 21 August 1945
- "War Administration": 30 June 1942 to 2 October 1945
- 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 ZealandFirst National Government of New ZealandThe First National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1949 to 1957. It was a conservative government best remembered for its role in the 1951 waterfront dispute. It also began the repositioning of New Zealand in the cold war environment...
(1949–57)
- Holland (First) Ministry: 1949-1954: 13 December 1949 to 26 November 1954
- Holland (Second) Ministry: 1954-1957: 26 November 1954 to 20 September 1957
- Holyoake (First) Ministry: 1957: 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957
Second Labour Government of New ZealandSecond Labour Government of New ZealandThe Second Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1957 to 1960. It was most notable for raising taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and petrol, a move which was probably responsible for the government lasting for only one term....
(1957–60)
- Nash Ministry: 1957-1960: 12 December 1957 to 12 December 1960
Second National Government of New ZealandSecond National Government of New ZealandThe Second National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1960 to 1972. It was a conservative government which sought mainly to preserve the economic prosperity and general stability of the early 1960s...
(1960–72)
- Holyoake (Second) Ministry: 1960-1972: 12 December 1960 to 7 February 1972
- Marshall Ministry: 1972: 7 February 1972 to 8 December 1972
Third Labour Government of New ZealandThird Labour Government of New ZealandThe Third Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1972 to 1975. During its time in office, it carried out a wide range of reforms in areas such as overseas trade, farming, public works, energy generation, local government, health, the arts, sport and recreation,...
(1972–75)
- Kirk Ministry: 1972-1974: 8 December 1972 to 10 September 1974
- Rowling Ministry, 1974-1975: 6 September 1974 to 12 December 1975
- Note: while Rowling was sworn in on 6 September, his ministers were not sworn in until 10 September
Third National Government of New ZealandThird National Government of New ZealandThe Third National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. It was an economically and socially conservative government, which aimed to preserve the Keynesian economic system established by the First Labour government while also being socially conservative...
(1975–84)
- Muldoon Ministry, 1975-1984: 12 December 1975 to 26 July 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 ZealandFourth Labour Government of New ZealandThe Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990. It enacted major social and economic reforms, including reformation of the tax system. The economic reforms were known as Rogernomics after Finance Minister Roger Douglas...
(1984–90)
- Lange Ministry: from 26 July 1984 to 24 August 1987
- Lange Ministry: from 24 August 1987 to 4 August 1989
- Palmer/Moore Ministry: from 14 August 1989 to 2 November 1990
Note: On 4 September 1990 Mike Moore succeeded Geoffrey Palmer as Prime Minister. Wood has a gap between the Lange Ministry and the Palmer/Moore Ministry from 4 to 14 August 1989.
Fourth National Government of New ZealandFourth National Government of New ZealandThe Fourth National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 2 November 1990 to 27 November 1999. Following in the footsteps of the previous Labour government, the fourth National government embarked on an extensive programme of spending cuts...
(1990–99)
- Bolger Ministry: from 2 November 1990 to 29 November 1993
- Bolger Ministry: from 29 November 1993 to 16 December 1996
- Bolger Ministry: from 16 December 1996 to 1997
- Shipley Ministry: from 1997 to 10 December 1999
Fifth Labour Government of New ZealandFifth Labour Government of New ZealandThe Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand between 10 December 1999 and 19 November 2008.-Overview:The fourth National government, in power since 1990, was widely unpopular by 1999, with much of the public antagonised by a series of free-market economic reforms,...
(1999–2008)
- Clark Ministry: from 10 December 1999.
Fifth National Government of New ZealandFifth National Government of New ZealandThe Fifth National Government of New Zealand is the current government of New Zealand. It is led by Prime Minister John Key.After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. The National party...
(2008 – present)
- Key Ministry: from 19 November 2008