Minister of Health (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The Minister of Health is a minister
in the government of New Zealand
with responsibility for the New Zealand Ministry of Health
and the District Health Board
s.
The present Minister is Tony Ryall
, a member of the National Party
.
. The word "Public" was dropped from the title in 1923, leaving simply "Minister of Health".
In the health system reforms of the 1980s, the Department of Health lost responsibility for both the provision and funding of healthcare — these roles were transferred to separate Crown Health Enterprises (the precursors to today's District Health Board
s) and the Health Funding Authority
, respectively. The only function remaining was policy-making (resulting in the Department being renamed a Ministry). For a time, there was a separate Minister in Charge of Crown Health Enterprises, who was not necessarily the same as the Minister of Health. Further reforms have changed this, however — the Health Funding Authority has been re-absorbed into the Ministry of Health, and the modern District Health Boards, while not part of the Ministry, are considered a responsibility of the Minister of Health.
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
in the 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...
with responsibility for the New Zealand Ministry of Health
New Zealand Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health , formerly the Department of Health from 1903 to 1993, is a department of the New Zealand government. This is the channel through which the government channels its funding for health services, VOTE: Health.The ministry is overseen by the Minister of Health in the New Zealand...
and the District Health Board
District Health Board (New Zealand)
District Health Boards in New Zealand are organisations established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, responsible for ensuring the provision of health and disability services to populations within a defined geographical area. They have existed since 1 January 2001 when the ...
s.
The present Minister is Tony Ryall
Tony Ryall
Anthony Boyd Williams "Tony" Ryall is New Zealand politician. He has represented voters and the National Party in the New Zealand Parliament since 1990. Since November 2008 he has served as a cabinet minister, holding the posts of Minister of Health and Minister of State Services...
, a member of the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
.
History
The first Minister of Public Health was appointed in 1900, during the premiership of Richard SeddonRichard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
. The word "Public" was dropped from the title in 1923, leaving simply "Minister of Health".
In the health system reforms of the 1980s, the Department of Health lost responsibility for both the provision and funding of healthcare — these roles were transferred to separate Crown Health Enterprises (the precursors to today's District Health Board
District Health Board (New Zealand)
District Health Boards in New Zealand are organisations established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, responsible for ensuring the provision of health and disability services to populations within a defined geographical area. They have existed since 1 January 2001 when the ...
s) and the Health Funding Authority
Health Funding Authority
The Health Funding Authority, now defunct, was a New Zealand government entity responsible for funding of public health care in New Zealand between 1997-2001...
, respectively. The only function remaining was policy-making (resulting in the Department being renamed a Ministry). For a time, there was a separate Minister in Charge of Crown Health Enterprises, who was not necessarily the same as the Minister of Health. Further reforms have changed this, however — the Health Funding Authority has been re-absorbed into the Ministry of Health, and the modern District Health Boards, while not part of the Ministry, are considered a responsibility of the Minister of Health.
List of Health Ministers
| Name | PM Served | Took Office | Left Office | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... |
Seddon Richard Seddon Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders.... , Hall-Jones William Hall-Jones Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward.... |
8 November 1900 | 6 August 1906 | Liberal |
| 2 | George Fowlds George Fowlds Sir George Matthew Fowlds CBE was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party.-Member of Parliament:George Fowlds represented the City of Auckland electorate from 1899 to 1902, and then the Grey Lynn electorate from 1902 to 1911.... |
Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... |
6 August 1906 | 6 January 1909 | Liberal |
| 3 | David Buddo David Buddo David Buddo was a New Zealand politician and member of the Liberal Party.He was a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the Kaiapoi seat from: 1893–96, 1899–1919, and 1922–28.He was a Cabinet minister, serving in the cabinet of Sir Joseph Ward between 1909 and 1912 as Minister... |
Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... |
6 January 1909 | 28 March 1912 | Liberal |
| 4 | George Warren Russell, 1st time | Mackenzie Thomas Mackenzie Sir Thomas Noble Mackenzie GCMG was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London.... |
28 March 1912 | 10 July 1912 | Liberal |
| 5 | Heaton Rhodes Heaton Rhodes Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes KCVO KBE VD , usually known as Sir Heaton Rhodes, was a New Zealand politician and lawyer.... |
Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
10 July 1912 | 12 August 1915 | Reform |
| George Warren Russell, 2nd time | Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
12 August 1915 | 25 August 1919 | Liberal | |
| 6 | Francis Bell | Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
4 September 1919 | 3 April 1920 | Reform |
| 7 | Christopher Parr | Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
3 April 1920 | 7 June 1923 | Reform |
| 8 | Maui Pomare Maui Pomare Sir Maui Wiremu Pita Naera Pomare, KBE, CMG was a New Zealand doctor and politician, being counted among the more prominent Māori political figures... |
Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... , Bell, Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
7 June 1923 | 18 January 1926 | Reform |
| 9 | James Young James Alexander Young James Alexander Young was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was Mayor of Hamilton from 1909 to 1912.He then represented the Waikato electorate from 1911 to 1922, and then the Hamilton electorate from 1922 to 1935, when he was defeated.He was Minister of Health from 1926 to 1928 in... , 1st time |
Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
18 January 1926 | 10 December 1928 | Reform |
| 10 | Arthur Stallworthy Arthur Stallworthy Arthur John Stallworthy was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party and United Party, and a Cabinet minister.He represented the Eden electorate from 1928 to 1935 , when he was deselected by the United/Reform Coalition. He stood in the 1935 as a Democrat losing to the Labour candidate.He was... |
Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... , Forbes George William Forbes George William Forbes served as the 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Few expected him to become Prime Minister when he did, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years... |
10 December 1928 | 22 September 1931 | United |
| James Young James Alexander Young James Alexander Young was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was Mayor of Hamilton from 1909 to 1912.He then represented the Waikato electorate from 1911 to 1922, and then the Hamilton electorate from 1922 to 1935, when he was defeated.He was Minister of Health from 1926 to 1928 in... , 2nd time |
Forbes George William Forbes George William Forbes served as the 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Few expected him to become Prime Minister when he did, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years... |
22 September 1931 | 6 December 1935 | Reform | |
| 11 | Peter Fraser | Savage Michael Joseph Savage Michael Joseph Savage was the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand.- Early life :Born in Tatong, Victoria, Australia, Savage first became involved in politics while working in that state. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1907. There he worked in a variety of jobs, as a miner, flax-cutter and... , himself |
6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | Labour |
| 12 | Tim Armstrong | Fraser | 30 April 1940 | 21 January 1941 | Labour |
| 13 | Arnold Nordmeyer Arnold Nordmeyer Sir Arnold Henry Nordmeyer, ONZ, KCMG , born Heinrich Arnold Nordmeyer, was a New Zealand politician. He was leader of the Labour Party for three years while it was in Opposition.-Early life:... |
Fraser | 21 January 1941 | 29 May 1947 | Labour |
| 14 | Mabel Howard Mabel Howard |-... |
Fraser | 29 May 1947 | 13 December 1949 | Labour |
| 15 | Jack Watts | Holland Sidney Holland Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:... |
13 December 1949 | 19 September 1951 | National |
| 16 | Jack Marshall Jack Marshall Sir John Ross Marshall, GBE, CH, , generally known as Jack Marshall, was a New Zealand politician. After spending twelve years as Deputy Prime Minister, he served as the 28th Prime Minister for most of 1972.... |
Holland Sidney Holland Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:... |
19 September 1951 | 26 November 1954 | National |
| 17 | Ralph Hanan Ralph Hanan Josiah Ralph Hanan known as Ralph Hanan was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.He represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament from 1946 to 1969, and was a son of Josiah Hanan who had previously held the seat... |
Holland Sidney Holland Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:... , Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7... |
26 November 1954 | 12 December 1957 | National |
| 18 | Rex Mason Rex Mason Henry Greathead Rex Mason was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, and Minister of Native Affairs, and had a significant influence on the direction of the Labour Party... |
Nash Walter Nash Sir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH served as the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance... |
12 December 1957 | 12 December 1960 | Labour |
| 19 | Norman Shelton Norman Shelton Norman Leslie Shelton, CBE was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.He represented the Rangitikei electorate from 1954 to 1972, when he retired.... |
Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7... |
12 December 1960 | 24 January 1962 | National |
| 20 | Donald McKay Donald Norman McKay Donald Norman McKay was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was Minister of Health and Minister of Social Security in the Second National Government from 1962 to 1972.... |
Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7... |
24 January 1962 | 9 February 1972 | National |
| 21 | Lance Adams-Schneider Lance Adams-Schneider Sir Lancelot Raymond "Lance" Adams-Schneider was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.He represented the Hamilton electorate from 1959 to 1969, and then the Waikato electorate from 1969 to 1981, when he retired.... |
Marshall Jack Marshall Sir John Ross Marshall, GBE, CH, , generally known as Jack Marshall, was a New Zealand politician. After spending twelve years as Deputy Prime Minister, he served as the 28th Prime Minister for most of 1972.... |
9 February 1972 | 8 December 1972 | National |
| 22 | Bob Tizard | Kirk Norman Kirk Norman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand... |
8 December 1972 | 10 September 1974 | Labour |
| 23 | Tom McGuigan Thomas McGuigan Thomas Malcolm McGuigan was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was the Member of Parliament for Lyttelton from 1969 to 1975, when he was defeated.... |
Rowling Bill Rowling Sir Wallace Edward Rowling, KCMG , often known as Bill Rowling, was the 30th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was in office for just over a year, having been appointed Prime Minister following the death of the highly popular Norman Kirk... |
10 September 1974 | 12 December 1975 | Labour |
| 24 | Frank Gill | Muldoon Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party... |
12 December 1975 | 13 December 1978 | National |
| 25 | George Gair George Gair George Frederick Gair, CMG, QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was once deputy leader of the National Party in the Parliament of New Zealand, and was considered by many to be a possible contender for the leadership itself... |
Muldoon Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party... |
13 December 1978 | 11 December 1981 | National |
| 26 | Aussie Malcolm Aussie Malcolm Anthony George "Aussie" Malcolm is a former National Party politician in New Zealand.-Early years:Aussie Malcolm was born in Australia, educated in Canada and Australia , and then attended Wellington College and Victoria University of Wellington... |
Muldoon Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party... |
11 December 1981 | 26 July 1984 | National |
| 27 | Michael Bassett Michael Bassett Michael Edward Rainton Bassett, QSO is a former Labour Party member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and cabinet minister in the reformist fourth Labour government... |
Lange David Lange David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a... |
26 July 1984 | 24 August 1987 | Labour |
| 28 | David Caygill David Caygill David Caygill, CBE is a former New Zealand politician. After being New Zealand's youngest city councillor at 22 , he was an MP from 1978 to 1996, representing the Labour Party... |
Lange David Lange David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a... |
24 August 1987 | 30 January 1989 | Labour |
| 29 | Helen Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
Lange David Lange David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a... , Palmer, Moore |
30 January 1989 | 2 November 1990 | Labour |
| 30 | Simon Upton Simon Upton Simon David Upton, QSO is a former New Zealand politician and member of Parliament from 1981 to 2001, representing the National Party.-Early life:... |
Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics... |
2 November 1990 | 27 March 1993 | National |
| 31 | Bill Birch Bill Birch Sir William Francis Birch, GNZM , usually known as Bill Birch, is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Minister of Finance for several years in the fourth National government.-Early life:... |
Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics... |
27 March 1993 | 29 November 1993 | National |
| 32 | Jenny Shipley Jenny Shipley Dame Jenny Shipley, DNZM , served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999, the first woman to hold this office and the first, and to date only, woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.-Early life:Shipley was born as Jennifer... |
Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics... |
29 November 1993 | 16 December 1996 | National |
| 33 | Bill English Bill English Simon William "Bill" English is the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Infrastructure of New Zealand.English entered parliament in 1990 as a National party MP representing the Wallace electorate... |
Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics... |
16 December 1996 | 2 February 1999 | National |
| 34 | Wyatt Creech Wyatt Creech Wyatt Beetham Creech, CNZM is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in Jenny Shipley's National Party government from August 1998 to December 1999.-Early life:... |
Shipley Jenny Shipley Dame Jenny Shipley, DNZM , served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999, the first woman to hold this office and the first, and to date only, woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.-Early life:Shipley was born as Jennifer... |
1 February 1999 | 5 December 1999 | National |
| 35 | Annette King Annette King Annette Faye King is a New Zealand politician. She is the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand. She was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:... |
Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
5 December 1999 | 19 October 2005 | Labour |
| 36 | Pete Hodgson Pete Hodgson Peter Colin Hodgson is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.Hodgson was born in Whangarei, and received a Bachelor's degree in veterinary science from Massey University... |
Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
19 October 2005 | 31 October 2007 | Labour |
| 37 | David Cunliffe David Cunliffe David Richard Cunliffe is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and the sitting member of parliament for New Lynn, West Auckland. He served as the Minister of Health and Minister for Communications and Information Technology for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand... |
Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
31 October 2007 | 19 November 2008 | Labour |
| 38 | Tony Ryall Tony Ryall Anthony Boyd Williams "Tony" Ryall is New Zealand politician. He has represented voters and the National Party in the New Zealand Parliament since 1990. Since November 2008 he has served as a cabinet minister, holding the posts of Minister of Health and Minister of State Services... |
Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006.... |
19 November 2008 | Incumbent | National |