Ministers of the New Zealand Government
Encyclopedia
Ministers, in the New Zealand
government, are Members of Parliament
who hold ministerial warrants from the Crown
to perform certain functions of government. Together, ministers make up the executive branch of the New Zealand state.
, which consists of all ministers plus the Governor-General
. When the Executive Council resolves to issue an order, and the order is signed by the Governor-General, it becomes legally binding.
A minister is generally charged with supervising a particular aspect of the government's activities, such as the provision of health services (Minister of Health) or the upkeep of law enforcement (Minister of Police). Sometimes, people may be appointed ministers without being given any specific role — they are known as ministers without portfolio
. Such appointments have become rare today, although sometimes a person may be appointed to a sinecure
portfolio such as "Minister of State" for similar purposes.
The appointment of ministers is officially made by the Governor-General
, who must sign a ministerial warrant before it officially comes into effect. Governors-General appoint or discharge ministers on the basis of advice from Prime Ministers
, who are themselves appointed by the Governor-General on the basis of whether they have the confidence of Parliament. The recommendations that a Prime Minister chooses to give are theoretically their own affair, but the political party
(or parties) behind them will almost certainly have views on the matter, and most recommendations are made only after negotiation and bargaining. Different parties have different mechanisms for this - the Labour Party
, for example, has provision for caucus
to select ministers, while in the National Party
, a Prime Minister theoretically has greater authority to make their own selections.
(Andrew Sinclair
since 1844) and the Colonial Treasurer
(Alexander Shepherd since 1842), reported to the Governor. When Parliament was established, however, many believed that they would soon replace these appointed officials, with ministerial positions being given to members of Parliament instead. The Acting Governor, Robert Wynyard
, did not agree, however, saying that the levers of government could not be turned over to Parliament without approval from Britain
. The issue was controversial, and ended with the Acting Governor attempting (with only partial success) to suspend the 1st New Zealand Parliament
.
Later, in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
, Parliament was victorious, and the first political ministers were appointed in the 1856 Sewell Ministry
. Henry Sewell
became Colonial Secretary, Dillon Bell
became Colonial Treasurer, Frederick Whitaker
became Attorney-General, and Henry Tancred became a minister without portfolio. Since then, all ministers have been appointed from among the ranks of Parliament.
Later, Parliament made further gains, with the convention being established that the Governor-General's actions in the Executive Council were bound by the advice that ministers gave. Today, the Executive Council is not used for deliberation - rather, Cabinet
is the forum for debate. Cabinet is a separate meeting of most (but usually not all) government ministers, and formally presents proposals to the whole Executive Council only when a decision has already been reached.
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...
government, are Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
who hold ministerial warrants from the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
to perform certain functions of government. Together, ministers make up the executive branch of the New Zealand state.
Responsibilities and powers
The formal powers of the executive are exercised through the Executive CouncilExecutive Council of New Zealand
The Executive Council of New Zealand is the body which legally serves the functions of the Cabinet. It has a function similar to that served by the Privy Council in the United Kingdom...
, which consists of all ministers plus the Governor-General
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....
. When the Executive Council resolves to issue an order, and the order is signed by the Governor-General, it becomes legally binding.
A minister is generally charged with supervising a particular aspect of the government's activities, such as the provision of health services (Minister of Health) or the upkeep of law enforcement (Minister of Police). Sometimes, people may be appointed ministers without being given any specific role — they are known as ministers without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
. Such appointments have become rare today, although sometimes a person may be appointed to a sinecure
Sinecure
A sinecure means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service...
portfolio such as "Minister of State" for similar purposes.
The appointment of ministers is officially made by the Governor-General
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....
, who must sign a ministerial warrant before it officially comes into effect. Governors-General appoint or discharge ministers on the basis of advice from Prime Ministers
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, who are themselves appointed by the Governor-General on the basis of whether they have the confidence of Parliament. The recommendations that a Prime Minister chooses to give are theoretically their own affair, but the political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
(or parties) behind them will almost certainly have views on the matter, and most recommendations are made only after negotiation and bargaining. Different parties have different mechanisms for this - the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
, for example, has provision for caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
to select ministers, while in 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:...
, a Prime Minister theoretically has greater authority to make their own selections.
History
Originally, the Executive Council functioned as an advisory group to the Governor, and ministerial functions were performed appointed officials, not politicians. The various "ministers" serving on the Council, such as the Colonial SecretaryColonial Secretary (New Zealand)
The Colonial Secretary of New Zealand was an office established in 1840 and abolished in 1907. The position should not be confused with the Colonial Secretary of the former Colonial Office of the United Kingdom....
(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:...
since 1844) and the 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....
(Alexander Shepherd since 1842), reported to the Governor. When Parliament was established, however, many believed that they would soon replace these appointed officials, with ministerial positions being given to members of Parliament instead. The Acting Governor, Robert Wynyard
Robert Wynyard
Sir Robert Henry Wynyard was a New Zealand colonial administrator, serving at various times as Lieutenant Governor of New Ulster Province, Administrator of the Government, and was the first Superintendent of Auckland Province.-Lieutenant Governor of New Ulster:From 26 April 1851 to 7 March 1853,...
, did not agree, however, saying that the levers of government could not be turned over to Parliament without approval from Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The issue was controversial, and ended with the Acting Governor attempting (with only partial success) to suspend 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...
.
Later, in 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...
, Parliament was victorious, and the first political ministers were appointed in the 1856 Sewell Ministry
Sewell Ministry, 1856
The 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...
. 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...
became Colonial Secretary, Dillon Bell
Dillon Bell
Sir Francis Dillon Bell KCMG CB MLC was a New Zealand politician of the late 19th century. He served as New Zealand's third Minister of Finance , and later as its third Speaker of the House...
became Colonial Treasurer, Frederick Whitaker
Frederick Whitaker
Sir 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:...
became Attorney-General, and Henry Tancred became a minister without portfolio. Since then, all ministers have been appointed from among the ranks of Parliament.
Later, Parliament made further gains, with the convention being established that the Governor-General's actions in the Executive Council were bound by the advice that ministers gave. Today, the Executive Council is not used for deliberation - rather, Cabinet
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...
is the forum for debate. Cabinet is a separate meeting of most (but usually not all) government ministers, and formally presents proposals to the whole Executive Council only when a decision has already been reached.
Prominent ministerial positions
- Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
- Deputy Prime MinisterDeputy Prime Minister of New ZealandThe Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand is second most senior officer in the Government of New Zealand, although this seniority does not necessarily translate into power....
- Minister of AgricultureMinister of Agriculture (New Zealand)The Minister of Agriculture is a ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand. the Minister of Agriculture is David Carter, of the New Zealand National Party...
- Minister of ConservationMinister of Conservation (New Zealand)The Minister of Conservation is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the Department of Conservation.The Loder Cup awarded for conservation is presented by the minister.-List of past ministers:-External links:...
- Minister of DefenceMinister of Defence (New Zealand)The Minister of Defence is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand armed forces and the Ministry of Defence.The present Minister is Dr...
- Minister of EducationMinister of Education (New Zealand)The Minister of Education is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the country's schools, and is in charge of the Ministry of Education.The present Minister is Anne Tolley, a member of the National Party.-History:...
- Minister of FinanceMinister 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....
- Minister of Foreign AffairsMinister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand.The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Murray McCully, who was National Party Spokeperson of Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are also Associate Minister roles...
- Minister of HealthMinister of Health (New Zealand)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 Boards.The present Minister is Tony Ryall, a member of the National Party.-History:...
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of JusticeMinister of Justice (New Zealand)The Minister of Justice is a minister in the government of New Zealand. The minister has responsibility for the formulation of justice policy and for the administration of law courts....
- Minister of Māori AffairsMinister of Maori AffairsThe Minister of Māori Affairs is the minister of the New Zealand government with broad responsibility for government policy towards Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The current Minister of Māori Affairs is Dr. Pita Sharples.-Role:...
- Attorney-GeneralAttorney-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...