Official Opposition (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The Official Opposition in New Zealand
is usually the largest political party
or coalition which is not a member of the ruling government
. This means that the political party, while still involved with the political process in New Zealand, they do not have ministers or their supporters in a position of power. This is usually the second-largest party in a legislative house, although in certain unusual circumstances it may be the largest party (due to a larger Government bloc) or even a third or fourth party.
The Opposition aims to hold the government accountable and to present itself to the electorate as a credible government in waiting. For example, during Question Time
, Opposition spokespersons will ask questions of Ministers with the aim of highlighting a weakness or embarrassing the government. Oppositions also engage in Parliamentary gestures such as refusal to grant confidence or voting down the Budget; however, as most governments comfortably retain the Parliamentary majority necessary to preserve confidence and supply
, such gestures are largely symbolic.
With the introduction of MMP in 1996 (after referendum
s in 1992 and 1993), there was consideration to remove the official role of the Opposition; with several parties outside the government, it was no longer clear which party, if any, was 'the' opposition. This is complicated more by parties which occasionally act with the government and at other times vote against it. The unusual positioning that developed after the 2005 election
further complicated the idea of 'opposition'. However, the continued dominance of the political scene by the National
and Labour
Parties means that the official Opposition has been retained, and inevitably the official Opposition is whichever of the National and Labour parties is not leading a Government at the time. Parties and Members of Parliament outside the government which do not work with the official Opposition party are said to "sit on the cross-benches".
Grand coalition
s have been formed only twice in New Zealand, and on both occasions with the aim of forming a national response to a crisis. The first was the War Cabinet of 1915–1919, involving the Reform and Liberal Parties, under the leadership of Reform Prime Minister William Massey
. The second was the Coalition Government of 1931–1935 to combat the Great Depression
, between the United Party (successor to the Liberal Party) and the Reform Party, and led by United leader George Forbes
. In both cases, Labour formed the official opposition. (It is however anachronistic to speak of a Labour Party until 1916; in 1915, the handful of MPs who were to become part of the Labour Party had been elected as "independent" candidates on behalf of several different social-democratic organisations.)
The Labour Party currently form the Official Opposition.
Shadow Ministry
As of 5 April 2011, the Official Opposition is as follows:
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...
is usually the largest 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 coalition which is not a member of the ruling government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
. This means that the political party, while still involved with the political process in New Zealand, they do not have ministers or their supporters in a position of power. This is usually the second-largest party in a legislative house, although in certain unusual circumstances it may be the largest party (due to a larger Government bloc) or even a third or fourth party.
The Opposition aims to hold the government accountable and to present itself to the electorate as a credible government in waiting. For example, during Question Time
Question Time
Question time in a parliament occurs when members of the parliament ask questions of government ministers , which they are obliged to answer. It usually occurs daily while parliament is sitting, though it can be cancelled in exceptional circumstances...
, Opposition spokespersons will ask questions of Ministers with the aim of highlighting a weakness or embarrassing the government. Oppositions also engage in Parliamentary gestures such as refusal to grant confidence or voting down the Budget; however, as most governments comfortably retain the Parliamentary majority necessary to preserve confidence and supply
Confidence and supply
In a parliamentary democracy confidence and supply are required for a government to hold power. A confidence and supply agreement is an agreement that a minor party or independent member of parliament will support the government in motions of confidence and appropriation votes by voting in favour...
, such gestures are largely symbolic.
With the introduction of MMP in 1996 (after referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
s in 1992 and 1993), there was consideration to remove the official role of the Opposition; with several parties outside the government, it was no longer clear which party, if any, was 'the' opposition. This is complicated more by parties which occasionally act with the government and at other times vote against it. The unusual positioning that developed after the 2005 election
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
further complicated the idea of 'opposition'. However, the continued dominance of the political scene by the National
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:...
and Labour
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....
Parties means that the official Opposition has been retained, and inevitably the official Opposition is whichever of the National and Labour parties is not leading a Government at the time. Parties and Members of Parliament outside the government which do not work with the official Opposition party are said to "sit on the cross-benches".
Grand coalition
Grand coalition
A grand coalition is an arrangement in a multi-party parliamentary system in which the two largest political parties of opposing political ideologies unite in a coalition government...
s have been formed only twice in New Zealand, and on both occasions with the aim of forming a national response to a crisis. The first was the War Cabinet of 1915–1919, involving the Reform and Liberal Parties, under the leadership of Reform Prime Minister William 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...
. The second was the Coalition Government of 1931–1935 to combat the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, between the United Party (successor to the Liberal Party) and the Reform Party, and led by United leader George 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...
. In both cases, Labour formed the official opposition. (It is however anachronistic to speak of a Labour Party until 1916; in 1915, the handful of MPs who were to become part of the Labour Party had been elected as "independent" candidates on behalf of several different social-democratic organisations.)
The Labour Party currently form the Official Opposition.
Shadow MinistryShadow CabinetThe Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
As of 5 April 2011, the Official Opposition is as follows:| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Phil Goff Phil Goff Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and... |
Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister in Charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service New Zealand Security Intelligence Service The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.-Purpose:As a civilian organisation, the Security Intelligence Service takes no part in the enforcement of security... |
| 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:... |
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Social Policy |
| 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... |
Shadow Minister of Finance 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.... |
| David Parker | Shadow 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... Shadow Minister for Economic Development Shadow Minister for Energy Associate Shadow Minister of Finance |
| Ruth Dyson Ruth Dyson Ruth Suzanne Dyson is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the Labour Party and has been a Member of Parliament since 1993.-Early years:... |
Shadow Minister for Conservation Shadow Minister of State Services Shadow Minister of Immigration |
| Clayton Cosgrove Clayton Cosgrove Clayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996... |
Shadow Minister for Law and Order Shadow Minister of Police Shadow Minister of Corrections Shadow Minister for State-Owned Enterprises State-Owned Enterprises of New Zealand State-owned enterprises in New Zealand are registered companies listed under Schedules 1 and 2 of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986... Associate Shadow Minister of Finance Shadow Minister for Earthquake Recovery |
| Maryan Street Maryan Street Maryan Street is a Member of the New Zealand Parliament for the New Zealand Labour Party. In the 2005 elections, she became the first openly lesbian woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament.-Early years:... |
Shadow Minister of Trade Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister 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... Shadow Minister for Overseas Development Assistance |
| Trevor Mallard Trevor Mallard Trevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early... |
Shadow Leader of the House Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Shadow Minister for Rugby World Cup Shadow Minister for America's Cup Associate Shadow Minister of Finance |
| Parekura Horomia Parekura Horomia Parekura Tureia Horomia is a New Zealand Labour Party past Minister of Māori Affairs-Early life:Horomia was born in Tolaga Bay of Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga Hauiti, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent.... |
Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations |
| Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry... |
Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Minister for the Environment |
| Grant Robertson Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired.... |
Shadow Minister of Health Minister 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:... Associate Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage |
| Sue Moroney Sue Moroney Suzanne Mary Moroney , generally known as Sue Moroney, is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and was first elected at the 2005 general election. She is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.-Early life:... |
Shadow Minister of Education Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education |
| Shane Jones Shane Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician. He was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent, as well as having Dalmatian ancestry... |
Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Associate Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Fisheries |
| Lianne Dalziel Lianne Dalziel Lianne Audrey Dalziel is a member of the New Zealand Parliament and was Minister of Immigration, Commerce, Minister of Food Safety and Associate Minister of Justice in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand... |
Shadow Minister for Small Business Shadow Minister of Commerce Shadow Minister for Electoral Reform Shadow Minister for Regulatory Reform |
| Su'a William Sio Su'a William Sio Su'a William Sio is a politician who became a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives on 1 April 2008 as a New Zealand Labour Party list MP. He currently represents the Māngere electorate seat in Parliament.... |
Shadow Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Spokesperson for Interfaith Dialogue Shadow Minister of Customs |
| Phil Twyford Phil Twyford Philip Stoner Twyford is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party candidate for Te Atatū.-Member of Parliament:... |
Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister for Building and Construction Shadow Minister Responsible for Auckland Issues |
| Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry.... |
Shadow Minister of Housing Associate Shadow Minister for Research and Development, Science, and Technology |
| Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a politician from New Zealand. A member of the Labour Party, she was elected as a list MP at the 2008 general election.-Professional life:Ardern has spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor... |
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Shadow Minister for Employment Associate Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage |
| Nanaia Mahuta Nanaia Mahuta Nanaia Cybelle Mahuta BA, MA in social anthropology, is a New Zealand politician and was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand. She was Minister of Customs, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Development, Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate... |
Shadow Minister for Maori Social Development Shadow Minister for the Voluntary and Community Sector |
| Damien O'Connor Damien O'Connor Damien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:... |
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Shadow Minister for Biosecurity Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
| Steve Chadwick | Junior Whip Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage |
| Darien Fenton Darien Fenton Darien Fenton is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament.-Personal life and early career:Fenton's grandfather, Fred Frost, was a Labour MP for New Plymouth from 1938 – 1943.... |
Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister for Transport Safety |
| David Shearer David Shearer David James Shearer, MBE is a humanitarian worker and politician from New Zealand. He won the Mount Albert by-election on 13 June 2009 to become a Member of the Parliament of New Zealand for the Labour Party... |
Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education Shadow Minister for Research and Development, Science, and Technology |
| Stuart Nash Stuart Nash Stuart Nash is a politician from New Zealand. He was a Labour Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2011. Nash is the great-grandson of former Prime Minister, Walter Nash.-Professional life:... |
Shadow Minister of Revenue Shadow Minister of Forestry Associate Shadow Minister for Trade |
| Chris Hipkins Chris Hipkins Christopher John "Chris" Hipkins is a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the Labour Party MP for Rimutaka, and was elected for the first time at the 2008 election. Before his election, he worked as a senior adviser to the administration of Prime Minister Helen Clark.-Early... |
Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of ACC Accident Compensation Corporation The Accident Compensation Corporation is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the Accident Compensation Act 2001. The Act provides support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries.... |
| Kelvin Davis Kelvin Davis (politician) Kelvin Davis is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Member of Parliament:In the 2008 elections Davis stood for Labour in the Te Tai Tokerau seat... |
Shadow Minister of Tourism Shadow Minister for Special Education Associate Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs |
| Brendon Burns Brendon Burns (politician) Brendon Burns is the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central electorate of the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life:Burns worked for 12 years in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. As editor of The Marlborough Express for seven years, he led various community initiatives and won the... |
Shadow Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues Shadow Minister for Water Quality Associate Shadow Minister for the Environment |
| Rick Barker Rick Barker Richard John Barker is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and was a middle-ranking Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:... |
Chief Whip Shadow Minister for Courts Shadow Minister of Veterans' Affairs |
| Ross Robertson Ross Robertson Harold Valentine Ross Robertson is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1987.-Early life:Robertson was born in Wellington... |
Shadow Minister for Racing Shadow Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control |
| Carol Beaumont Carol Beaumont Carol Ann Beaumont is a politician from New Zealand. She was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election. Beaumont stood in the Maungakiekie electorate, finishing a close second.-Professional life:... |
Shadow Minister for Women's Affairs Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs Associate Shadow Minister for Education |
| Clare Curran Clare Curran Clare Elizabeth Curran is the 3rd and current member of the New Zealand Parliament for Dunedin South.-Early life and education:Curran grew up and was educated in Dunedin, she attended Moreau College where she achieved School Certificate... |
Shadow Minister for Communication and IT Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
| Ashraf Choudhary Ashraf Choudhary Dr Ashraf Choudhary, QSO, is a Pakistani-New Zealand scientist in agricultural engineering and a member of the Parliament in New Zealand. He is a member of the Labour Party, and is New Zealand's first MP from South Asia and Pakistan.... |
Shadow Minister for Food Safety Associate Shadow Minister for Ethnic Affairs Associate Shadow Minister for Research and Development, Science, and Technology |
| Raymond Huo Raymond Huo Raymond Huo is a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Labour Party's first MP of Chinese descent... |
Shadow Minister for the Law Commission Shadow Minister of Statistics Shadow Minister for Chinese Community Affairs |
| Iain Lees-Galloway Iain Lees-Galloway Iain Lees-Galloway is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Palmerston North at the 2008 general election... |
Shadow Minister for Land Information Shadow Minister of Defence Associate Shadow Minister of Health (Drugs & Alcohol) Associate Shadow Ministor for Transport |
| Rajen Prasad Rajen Prasad Dr Rajen Prasad, QSO, is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election... |
Shadow Minister of Ethnic Affairs Associate Shadow Minister for Social Development |
| Mita Ririnui Mita Ririnui Mita Michael Ririnui is a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 1999.-Early years:... |
Associate Shadow Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Associate Shadow Minister for Health (Maori) |
| Carmel Sepuloni Carmel Sepuloni Carmel Sepuloni was a New Zealand Labour Party member of the New Zealand Parliament, and New Zealand's first MP of Tongan descent. She has been a Member of Parliament since 2008 and was Labour's candidate for Waitakere in the 2011 General Election... |
Shadow Minister for Disability Issues Associate Shadow Minister of Justice (Victims Rights) Associate Shadow Minister for Social Development |
| Kris Faafoi Kris Faafoi Kris Faafoi is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He represents the Mana electorate in the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life and family:... |
Shadow Minister of Civil Defence Associate Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |