Political parties in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
New Zealand national politics feature a pervasive party system
. Usually, all members of Parliament's unicameral House of Representatives
belong to a political party. Independent MPs occur relatively rarely. While two primary parties do indeed dominate the political landscape, the country now more closely resembles a multi-party state
, where smaller groups can reasonably expect to play a role in government. As of August 2011, eight parties have representatives in Parliament.
, which began its rule in 1891, as the first real party in New Zealand politics. During the long period of Liberal Party control the party's more conservative opponents founded the Reform Party
, forming the original duopoly in the New Zealand parliament.
Gradually, Liberal and Reform found themselves working together more often, mostly in opposition to the growing Labour Party
. After Labour eventually won office in 1935, the Liberals and Reform came together to form the National Party
. Labour and National currently exist as the two main parties of New Zealand politics.
Over the years, a number of "third parties
" or so-called "minor parties" developed, notably the Social Credit Party
, the New Zealand Party
, the Values Party
, and the Alliance
. However, the "first past the post" electoral system meant that regardless of how many votes a party gained nation-wide, it could not win a seat without a plurality in a particular electorate (voting district). Under such conditions, these parties mostly performed poorly in terms of making an impact in Parliament.
With the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system
for the 1996 elections, however, it became much easier for smaller parties to enter parliament; but more difficult to gain election as a non-party independent. Since the change to MMP, about one third of the seats in Parliament have been held by MPs representing parties other than Labour and National. In the years before MMP, by contrast, there were sometimes no such MPs at all.
If a party registers, it may submit a party list, enabling it to receive party votes in New Zealand's MMP electoral system. Unregistered parties can only nominate candidates for individual electorates.
Registered political parties are also able to spend up to $1 million during the campaign for the party vote. All political parties are able to spend $20,000 per electorate seat.
Parties currently in the New Zealand House of Representatives
The order in which political parties appear in this list corresponds to the number of MPs they currently have. Note that political parties within the House declare their existence to the Speaker
, and do not need to be registered outside of the House.
Party system
A party system is a concept in comparative political science concerning the system of government by political parties in a democratic country. The idea is that political parties have basic similarities: they control the government, have a stable base of mass popular support, and create internal...
. Usually, all members of Parliament's unicameral 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....
belong to a political party. Independent MPs occur relatively rarely. While two primary parties do indeed dominate the political landscape, the country now more closely resembles a multi-party state
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition, e.g.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in the United Kingdom formed in 2010. The effective number of parties in a multi-party system is normally...
, where smaller groups can reasonably expect to play a role in government. As of August 2011, eight parties have representatives in Parliament.
History
Political parties in New Zealand evolved towards the end of the nineteenth century out of interest groups and personal cliques. Most historians regard the Liberal PartyNew Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
, which began its rule in 1891, as the first real party in New Zealand politics. During the long period of Liberal Party control the party's more conservative opponents founded the Reform Party
New Zealand Reform Party
The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party...
, forming the original duopoly in the New Zealand parliament.
Gradually, Liberal and Reform found themselves working together more often, mostly in opposition to the growing 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....
. After Labour eventually won office in 1935, the Liberals and Reform came together to form 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:...
. Labour and National currently exist as the two main parties of New Zealand politics.
Over the years, a number of "third parties
Third party (politics)
In a two-party system of politics, the term third party is sometimes applied to a party other than the two dominant ones. While technically the term is limited to the third largest party or third oldest party, it is common, though innumerate, shorthand for any smaller party.For instance, in the...
" or so-called "minor parties" developed, notably the Social Credit Party
Social Credit Party (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time...
, the New Zealand Party
New Zealand Party
width=300|thumb|Party logoThe New Zealand Party was a political party operating in New Zealand. It was established by millionaire property tycoon Bob Jones, and promoted both social and economic liberalization. The New Zealand Party's motto was "Freedom and Prosperity", and it has sometimes been...
, the Values Party
Values Party
The Values Party, considered the world's first national-level environmentalist party that pre-dated any fashionable Green terminology, was established in 1972 at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, one of its initial leaders being Tony Brunt...
, and the Alliance
Alliance (New Zealand political party)
The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the...
. However, the "first past the post" electoral system meant that regardless of how many votes a party gained nation-wide, it could not win a seat without a plurality in a particular electorate (voting district). Under such conditions, these parties mostly performed poorly in terms of making an impact in Parliament.
With the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system
Electoral system of New Zealand
In 1994 New Zealand officially adopted mixed member proportional representation as its electoral system for the House of Representatives after many years of first-past-the-post voting. The first MMP election was held in 1996....
for the 1996 elections, however, it became much easier for smaller parties to enter parliament; but more difficult to gain election as a non-party independent. Since the change to MMP, about one third of the seats in Parliament have been held by MPs representing parties other than Labour and National. In the years before MMP, by contrast, there were sometimes no such MPs at all.
Registration of parties
Political parties in New Zealand can be either registered or unregistered. Registered parties must have five-hundred paying members, each eligible to vote in general elections.If a party registers, it may submit a party list, enabling it to receive party votes in New Zealand's MMP electoral system. Unregistered parties can only nominate candidates for individual electorates.
Registered political parties are also able to spend up to $1 million during the campaign for the party vote. All political parties are able to spend $20,000 per electorate seat.
Parties currently in the New Zealand House of RepresentativesNew Zealand House of RepresentativesThe 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....
The order in which political parties appear in this list corresponds to the number of MPs they currently have. Note that political parties within the House declare their existence to the SpeakerSpeaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
, and do not need to be registered outside of the House.
| Party | Leader(s) | Description | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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:... |
John 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.... |
A centre-right, socially conservative party. The largest party in Parliament, it has traditionally been Labour's main opponent. It supports a free market Free market A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts... economy, lower taxation, and less legislative interference. |
60 |
| 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.... |
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... |
A centre-left, socially progressive Progressivism Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The... party. It is the oldest party in New Zealand and the second largest party in Parliament. |
34 |
| Green Party Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it... |
Metiria Turei Metiria Turei Metiria Leanne Agnes Stanton Turei is a New Zealand member of Parliament and the female co-leader of the Green Party. she is the Green Party spokesperson on Social Equity, Electoral Reform, Māori and Treaty Issues, Housing and Children.... and Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :... |
A Green Party with strong left-wing environmentalist influences. It also promotes highly progressive Progressivism Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The... social policies. |
13 |
| New Zealand First New Zealand First New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992... |
Winston Peters Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being... |
A centrist, populist Populism Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social... , and nationalist party. Its primary goals are reducing immigration, reducing Treaty of Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand.... payments, increasing sentences for crime, and buying back former state assets. Its leader served as the Foreign Minister Foreign minister A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in... . |
8 |
| Māori Party Maori Party The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led... |
Tariana Turia Tariana Turia Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result... and Pita Sharples Pita Sharples Pita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:... |
A party based around New Zealand's indigenous Māori minority. It crystallised in 2004 around Tariana Turia Tariana Turia Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result... , a former minister of the Labour Party. It promotes what it sees as the rights and interests of Māori. |
3 |
| ACT | John Banks | A classically liberal Classical liberalism Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets.... party that promotes free market Free market A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts... economics, low taxation, reduced government expenditure, and increased punishments for crime. It sees itself as promoting accountability and transparency in government. |
1 |
| Mana Party Mana Party (New Zealand) The Mana Party is a New Zealand political party led by Hone Harawira. It was formed in April 2011, and plans to contest the 2011 general election. Standing under the Mana Party banner, Mana won an early victory when Mr Harawira won the by-election in Te Tai Tokerau held on 25 June 2011... |
Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held... |
A party based around New Zealand's indigenous Māori minority that primarily supports Māori Nationalist and Socialist policies. | 1 |
| United Future | Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party... |
A moderately centrist party formerly with a strong Christian background: it describes itself as based around "common sense Common sense Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts." Thus, "common sense" equates to the knowledge and experience which most people already have, or which the person using the term believes that they do or should have... ". It has a particular focus on policies concerning the family and social issues. |
1 |
Registered parties outside of Parliament
Parties listed in alphabetical order:| Party | Leader | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Alliance (New Zealand political party) The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the... |
Victor Billot Victor Billot Victor Billot is a former co-leader of New Zealand's Alliance political party. He is also a writer, musician and unionist, former editor of Critic magazine, and performer in Alpha Plan and Das Phaedrus.-External links:*... and Kay Murray |
A left-wing party supporting the welfare state Welfare state A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those... , free education, environmental protection Environmentalism Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements... , and Māori interests. The Progressive Party (see above) formed as a splinter-group from the Alliance when Jim Anderton, former Alliance leader, left. |
| Conservative Party of New Zealand Conservative Party of New Zealand The Conservative Party of New Zealand is a political party founded in New Zealand in August 2011. It advocates social conservatism, the repeal of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and the child discipline law, and the use of binding referenda... |
Colin Craig Colin Craig Colin Craig is a New Zealand businessman and the founding leader of the Conservative Party of New Zealand. Craig is currently a millionaire who owns companies which manage high-rise buildings. His current company manages about $1.3 billion of assets.-Personal life:Craig was born in Auckland and... |
A socially conservative party. |
| NZ Democrats | Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter is the leader of the New Zealand Democratic Party, a small left-wing New Zealand political party. The Democrats are currently outside Parliament.... |
A party based around the idea of Social Credit Social Credit Social Credit is an economic philosophy developed by C. H. Douglas , a British engineer, who wrote a book by that name in 1924. Social Credit is described by Douglas as "the policy of a philosophy"; he called his philosophy "practical Christianity"... . The party formerly formed part of the Alliance (see above); previously, as the Social Credit Party Social Credit Party (New Zealand) The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time... , was one of the older surviving parties in New Zealand. |
| Kiwi Party | Larry Baldock Larry Baldock Larry Baldock is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of Parliament for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 to 2005... |
A revival of the Christian Democrats Christian Democrat Party (New Zealand) The Christian Democrat Party of New Zealand was a Christian political party established in 1995. It contested the 1996 general election as part of the Christian Coalition with the Christian Heritage Party.... / Future New Zealand Future New Zealand The Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... brand. The party advocates more representative direct democracy through referenda and a return to the "Judeo-Christian Judeo-Christian Judeo-Christian is a term used in the United States since the 1940s to refer to standards of ethics said to be held in common by Judaism and Christianity, for example the Ten Commandments... ethic in democracy". |
| Legalise Cannabis Party Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is a political party in New Zealand. It is dedicated to removing or reducing restrictions on the use of cannabis and similar substances... |
Michael Appleby | A party which (as its name suggests) supports the legalisation of cannabis Cannabis Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a... . This remains the core of its platform, although it also comments on other issues that it considers related. |
| Libertarianz Libertarianz Libertarianz is a political party in New Zealand that advocates libertarianism, favouring self-government and limiting the power of the government over the individual. Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is a major influence on the party... |
Richard McGrath | A libertarian Libertarianism Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view... party dedicated to laissez-faire Laissez-faire In economics, laissez-faire describes an environment in which transactions between private parties are free from state intervention, including restrictive regulations, taxes, tariffs and enforced monopolies.... capitalism and keeping government as small as possible. |
| New Citizen Party New Citizen Party The New Citizen Party is a political party in New Zealand. It aims to represent Chinese New Zealanders and has a focus on economic and law-and-order issues... |
Unknown | A small party formed to represent Chinese New Zealanders. |
| Progressive Party New Zealand Progressive Party Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party.... |
Jim Anderton Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest... |
A left-wing party with a focus on job creation and regional development. |
Unregistered parties
Parties listed in alphabetical order:| Party | Leader | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aotearoa NZ Youth Party Aotearoa NZ Youth Party The Aotearoa NZ Youth Party or Aotearoa NZ Youth Independence Party is an unregistered political party in New Zealand. The party is the vehicle of "professional stirrer" Robert Terry of Reefton, who has contested elections on and off since 1998.... |
Robert Terry | |
| Communist League Communist League (New Zealand) -History:The party was founded in 1969 by students from Victoria University of Wellington, and was originally named the Socialist Action League. The new party rejected the more established groups such as the Communist Party as too authoritarian, conservative, and unimaginative, but at the same... |
Unknown | A communist party aligned with the Pathfinder tendency Pathfinder tendency The Pathfinder tendency is the unofficial name of a group of historically Trotskyist organizations that are politically and organizationally allied with the Socialist Workers Party of the United States and its perspective of solidarity with the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban Communist Party.The... . The party was originally called the Socialist Action League, but changed its name when it rejected Trotskyism Trotskyism Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class... and adopted a pro-Cuba Cuba The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city... stance. The party stands a small number of candidates in general elections. |
| Economic Euthenics Party | Michael Hansen | |
| Hapu Party Hapu Party The Hapu Party is a Māori political party in New Zealand was formedin August 2008. The party's leader is Northland iwi leader David Rankin.-Policies and actions:... |
David Rankin | A Māori-based party established to challenge the Māori Party Maori Party The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led... . |
| Human Rights Party Human Rights Party (New Zealand) The Human Rights Party is a small political party in New Zealand. It focuses on what it sees as social justice, believing that insufficient emphasis is placed on people's economic, social and cultural rights... |
Unknown | A small party focused on human rights and social justice. |
| Join Australia Movement Party Join Australia Movement Party The Join Australia Movement Party is a political party in New Zealand. The party advocates political unity between New Zealand and Australia, and is led by Robin Caithness.Caithness ran as a candidate for the party in the 2011 Botany by-election.... |
Robin Caithness | A party advocating union with Australia |
| New Economics Party New Economics Party The New Economics party is a political party in New Zealand. It was founded in September 2011 and advocates reduced resource use, a universal basic income, and reform of the currency and banking system.... |
Unknown | A party advocating reform of the banking and currency system. |
| Nga Iwi Morehu Movement Nga Iwi Morehu Movement The Nga Iwi Morehu Movement is a New Zealand political party based around Māori. Its name literally translates as "the surviving people" or "the remnant people". It contested the 1996 election as an unregistered party, running a single candidate and gaining 194 votes. It ran two candidates in the... |
Unknown | A small Maori-based party which has been active in a number of elections |
| OurNZ Party OurNZ Party The OurNZ Party is a political party in New Zealand. The party advocates a new currency, a 1% transaction tax, a written constitution, and binding referenda... |
Kelvyn Alp Kelvyn Alp Kelvyn Alp born 27 March 1971, was the leader of the Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand which stood in the 2005 general elections. He also stood for Mayor of Manukau in 2007. Alp stood in the 2011 Te Tai Tokerau by-election under the OurNZ Party banner receving 0.5% of the vote... and Rangitunoa Black |
A party advocating a new currency, binding referenda, and a written constitution. |
| Pirate Party of New Zealand Pirate Party of New Zealand The Pirate Party of New Zealand is a political party in New Zealand. The party is based on the Swedish Pirate Party and focuses on issues of copyright and patent reform and internet privacy... |
Tommy Fergusson | An anti-copyright party based on the Swedish Pirate Party |
| Restore All Things in Christ | Andrena Bishop | A small Christian based party which has run candidates in a number of elections. |
| Sovereignty Party New Zealand Sovereignty Party The New Zealand Sovereignty Party is a political party in New Zealand. It was founded in 2010 by Southland businessman Tony Corbett.The party advocates repeal of the 2007 anti-smacking law and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, and free dental care for school children... |
Tony Corbett | Unknown. Has applied for broadcasting allocation for the 2011 election New Zealand general election, 2011 The 2011 New Zealand general election on Saturday 26 November 2011 determined the membership of the 50th New Zealand Parliament.One hundred and twenty-one MPs were elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 70 from single-member electorates, including one overhang seat, and 51 from party... |
Parties which held seats
| Party | Existed | In Parliament | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Democrats Christian Democrat Party (New Zealand) The Christian Democrat Party of New Zealand was a Christian political party established in 1995. It contested the 1996 general election as part of the Christian Coalition with the Christian Heritage Party.... |
1995–1998 | 1995–1996 | A Christian party established by sitting National MP Graeme Lee Graeme Lee Graeme Ernest Lee, MZNM, JP is a former New Zealand politician. Originally a National Party MP, he broke away to found the Christian Democrat Party.-Member of Parliament:... . After briefly establishing the Christian Coalition (see above) with the Christian Heritage Party Christian Heritage New Zealand The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values... , the Christian Democrats secularised themselves, adopting the name "Future New Zealand Future New Zealand The Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... ". Future New Zealand merged with United (see below) to form United Future New Zealand. |
| Christian Heritage NZ Christian Heritage New Zealand The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values... |
1990–2006 | 1999 | A party based around Christian conservative values. It supported policies to strengthen marriage and opposed abortion and same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality.... . |
| Country Party Country Party (New Zealand) The Country Party of New Zealand was a political party which based itself around rural voters. It was represented in Parliament from 1928 to 1938. Its policies were a mixture of rural advocacy and social credit theory.... |
? – ? | 1928–1938 | A party established by members of the Farmers' Union to promote the interests of the rural sector. It reflected to an extent social credit Social Credit Social Credit is an economic philosophy developed by C. H. Douglas , a British engineer, who wrote a book by that name in 1924. Social Credit is described by Douglas as "the policy of a philosophy"; he called his philosophy "practical Christianity"... monetary theory, and believed that farmers were not treated fairly by banks and the corporate world. |
| Democratic Labour Party Democratic Labour Party (New Zealand) The Democratic Labour Party was a left-wing political party in New Zealand in the 1940s. It was a splinter from the larger Labour Party, and was led by the prominent socialist John A. Lee.-Party history:... |
1940–1943 | 1940–1943 | A splinter from 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.... led by dissident MP John A. Lee John A. Lee John Alfred Alexander Lee DCM was a New Zealand politician and writer. He is one of the more prominent avowed socialists in New Zealand's political history.-Early life:... . Lee, a socialist and social credit Social Credit Social Credit is an economic philosophy developed by C. H. Douglas , a British engineer, who wrote a book by that name in 1924. Social Credit is described by Douglas as "the policy of a philosophy"; he called his philosophy "practical Christianity"... ist, believed that the Labour Party had moved too far from its left-wing roots. The Labour Party hierarchy had expelled him after he repeatedly criticised its leadership. |
| Future New Zealand Future New Zealand (Dunne) This party should not be confused with the better-known Future New Zealand, a continuation of the Christian Democrats.Future New Zealand was the name chosen by Peter Dunne for the party he founded after leaving the Labour Party. After spending several months as an independent, Dunne formed Future... |
1994–1995 | 1994–1995 | A short-lived party established by Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party... after he left 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.... . It integrated into the United New Zealand United New Zealand United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... party. Not to be confused with a later party of the same name Future New Zealand The Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... . |
| Independent Political Labour League Independent Political Labour League The Independent Political Labour League was a small New Zealand political party. It was the second organised political party to win a seat in the New Zealand Parliament, and was a forerunner of the modern Labour Party.... |
1905–1910 | 1908–1910 | A small and short-lived left-wing party. It was the second organised party to win a seat in Parliament, with David McLaren winning the seat of Wellington East. In Parliament, the IPLL co-operated with the governing Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... . |
| Labour Party New Zealand Labour Party (original) The original New Zealand Labour Party was a short-lived left-wing political party in New Zealand. It is a predecessor of the modern party.... (original) |
1910–1912 | 1910–1912 | A short-lived successor to the Independent Political Labour League Independent Political Labour League The Independent Political Labour League was a small New Zealand political party. It was the second organised political party to win a seat in the New Zealand Parliament, and was a forerunner of the modern Labour Party.... . It functioned as one of the more moderate workers' parties, opposing more radical groups like the Socialist Party. It should not be confused with the modern 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.... , although a certain degree of continuity links the two. |
| Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... |
1891–1927 | 1891–1927 | New Zealand's first real political party. It provided the country with a number of prominent Prime Ministers, including John Ballance John Ballance John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:... and Richard 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.... . With much of its traditional support undercut by the growing 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.... , the remnants of the Liberals (known as the United Party United Party (New Zealand) The United Party of New Zealand, a party formed out of the remnants of the Liberal Party, formed a government between 1928 and 1935, and in 1936 merged with the Reform Party to establish the National Party... ) eventually merged with the Reform Party New Zealand Reform Party The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party... to form the modern 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:... . |
| Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party (1992) The New Zealand Liberal Party founded in 1992 was a splinter group of the National Party.... |
1992 – 1996? | 1992 | A short-lived splinter from 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:... , formed by Hamish McIntyre and Gilbert Myles Gilbert Myles Gilbert Myles, JP, is a former New Zealand politician.- Member of Parliament :He was elected to Parliament for the seat of Roskill in the 1990 elections as part of the New Zealand National Party, a previously safe-seat of the previously ruling Labour Party, largely on a platform of opposition to... , two dissident National MPs who disagreed with the economic policies of Ruth Richardson Ruth Richardson Ruth Richardson served as New Zealand's Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993, and is known for her strong pursuit of free-market economic reforms .-Early life:... . The Liberal Party quickly joined the Alliance Alliance (New Zealand political party) The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the... , which the two saw as the principal opponent of Richardson and her ideological allies. |
| Mana Wahine Te Ira Tangata Mana Wahine Te Ira Tangata Mana Wahine Te Ira Tangata was a small and short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was established by Alamein Kopu, a member of the New Zealand Parliament who had left her original party . After a short time as an independent MP, Kopu established Mana Wahine as her own party... |
1998–2001 | 1998–1999 | A short-lived Māori feminist party established by Alliance (Mana Motuhake) defector Alamein Kopu Alamein Kopu - Birth and early life :Kopu was raised in Opotiki. Her family was not wealthy, and Kopu characterises her youth as containing "much hardship". In 1978, her family moved to Sydney, Australia. In Australia, Kopu became involved with community programs aimed at drug users and prostitutes, something... . The party contested only one general election before vanishing. |
| Mauri Pacific Mauri Pacific Mauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural... |
1999–2001 | 1999 | A party established by several New Zealand First New Zealand First New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992... MPs shortly after a coalition between New Zealand First and 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:... broke down. Mauri Pacific remained allied to the National government, giving it crucial support, but none of the party's MPs gained re-election in the 1999 elections New Zealand general election, 1999 The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance... . |
| NewLabour Party NewLabour Party (New Zealand) NewLabour was a left-of-centre party founded in 1989 by Jim Anderton, an MP and former President of the New Zealand Labour Party.NewLabour was established by a number of Labour Party members who left the party in reaction to "Rogernomics", the economic policies implemented by the Labour Party's... |
1989–1991 | 1989–1991 | A left-wing party established by former 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.... MP Jim Anderton Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest... . It contested one election before joining with several other parties to establish the Alliance Alliance (New Zealand political party) The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the... . |
| Pacific Party New Zealand Pacific Party The New Zealand Pacific Party was a Christian political party that existed in New Zealand from 2008 to 2010. The party was founded as a vehicle for former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, who was subsequently convicted for bribery and corruption... |
2008–2010 | 2008–2008 | A small party established by Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was... aimed at advancing Pacific Peoples, as well as Christian and family values and social justice. |
| Reform Party New Zealand Reform Party The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party... |
1909–1936 | 1909–1936 | New Zealand's second major political party, established as a more conservative opponent to the Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... . Its founder, 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... , became its most prominent leader. It eventually merged with its former rivals, the Liberals, to form the modern 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:... . |
| Social Credit Party Social Credit Party (New Zealand) The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time... |
1953–1986 | 1966 – 1969 1979 – 1987 |
New Zealand's "third party" between the 1960s and the 1980s. The Social Credit Party espoused the theory of social credit Social Credit Social Credit is an economic philosophy developed by C. H. Douglas , a British engineer, who wrote a book by that name in 1924. Social Credit is described by Douglas as "the policy of a philosophy"; he called his philosophy "practical Christianity"... , a type of monetary reform Monetary reform Monetary reform describes any movement or theory that proposes a different system of supplying money and financing the economy from the current system.Monetary reformers may advocate any of the following, among other proposals:... , although much of its support represented protest votes rather than support of its policies. It has since renamed itself, becoming the Democratic Party New Zealand Democratic Party The New Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit is a small leftist political party in New Zealand. It is based around the ideas of Social Credit, an economic theory which also attracted some degree of support in Canada and Australia... . |
| Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party (New Zealand) The Social Democratic Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. It existed only a short time before being amalgamated into the new Labour Party... |
1913–1916 | 1913–1916 | An early left-wing party established at a "Unity Congress" in July 1913 as an attempt to bring together the various labour groups of the time. The party eventually amalgamated with the modern 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.... . |
| Socialist Party New Zealand Socialist Party The New Zealand Socialist Party was founded in 1901, promoting the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The group, despite being relatively moderate when compared with many other socialists, met with little tangible success, but it nevertheless had considerable impact on the development of New... (i) |
1901–1913 | ? – 1913 | One of the more prominent Marxist Marxism Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th... parties in early New Zealand, strongly associated with the Federation of Labour (the "Red Fed"). It eventually merged with the more moderate United Labour Party United Labour Party (New Zealand) The United Labour Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. Founded in 1912, it represented the more moderate wing of the labour movement. In 1916 it joined with other political groups to establish the modern Labour Party.- Origins :... to form the Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party (New Zealand) The Social Democratic Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. It existed only a short time before being amalgamated into the new Labour Party... . |
| United New Zealand United New Zealand United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... |
1995–2000 | 1995–2000 | A centrist party established by moderate MPs from both National and Labour. The party did not achieve electoral success, with only one of the seven founding MPs managing to remain in parliament. United later merged with the Future New Zealand Future New Zealand The Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... party to form the modern United Future New Zealand. |
| United Labour Party United Labour Party (New Zealand) The United Labour Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. Founded in 1912, it represented the more moderate wing of the labour movement. In 1916 it joined with other political groups to establish the modern Labour Party.- Origins :... |
1912–1913 | 1912–1913 | A reformed continuation of the original Labour Party New Zealand Labour Party (original) The original New Zealand Labour Party was a short-lived left-wing political party in New Zealand. It is a predecessor of the modern party.... . The party existed only a short time before merging with the Socialist Party to form the Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party (New Zealand) The Social Democratic Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. It existed only a short time before being amalgamated into the new Labour Party... , although a faction rejected the new SDP as too extreme and attempted to continue on under the United Labour Party banner. |
| United Party United Party (New Zealand) The United Party of New Zealand, a party formed out of the remnants of the Liberal Party, formed a government between 1928 and 1935, and in 1936 merged with the Reform Party to establish the National Party... |
1927–1936 | 1927–1936 | A party formed from the remnants of the Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... . United governed between 1928 and 1935, initially with 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.... support and later in coalition with the Reform Party New Zealand Reform Party The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party... . It eventually merged with Reform to establish the modern 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:... . |
Parties which never held seats
| Party | Existed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 99 MP Party 99 MP Party The 99 MP Party was a small New Zealand political party that contested the 2005 General Election. It supported a reduction of the number of Members of Parliament from 120 to 99.-History:... |
2005–2006 | A party primarily focused on reducing the total number of MPs from 120 to 99. It also believed that all constitutional changes should be put to a referendum. |
| Asia Pacific United Party Asia Pacific United Party The Asia Pacific United Party was a New Zealand political party based around the country's Asian and Pacific Islander populations. It was formed in anticipation of the MMP electoral system, which made it easier for smaller parties to be elected. In the 1996 elections, the party won 0.02% of the... |
? – ? | A party which attempted to gain support from Asian and Pacific Islander Pacific Islander Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:... immigrants. It contested the 1996 and 1999 elections, but has since dissolved. |
| Bill and Ben Party Bill and Ben Party The Bill and Ben Party was a New Zealand joke political party formed in 2008 and voluntarily deregistered in 2010. The party's leaders were Jamie Linehan and Ben Boyce of the TV3 satirical sports show Pulp Sport... |
2008–2010 | A joke party run by Bill and Ben, hosts of the TV show Pulp Sport Pulp Sport Pulp Sport was a TV show filmed in New Zealand, that mixes sport with various styles of comedy. The hosts Jamie Linehan and Ben Boyce act under their respective pseudonyms Bill and Ben, performing a half hour of various sports based skits... . |
| Christian Coalition Christian Coalition (New Zealand) The Christian Coalition was an Evangelical Christian political party operating in New Zealand. It was an alliance of the now-defunct Christian Heritage Party and the Christian Democrats, New Zealand's two fundamentalist Christian parties... |
1996–1997 | A brief alliance of the Christian Democrats Christian Democrat Party (New Zealand) The Christian Democrat Party of New Zealand was a Christian political party established in 1995. It contested the 1996 general election as part of the Christian Coalition with the Christian Heritage Party.... and the Christian Heritage Party Christian Heritage New Zealand The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values... . It narrowly missed entering parliament in the 1996 election 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... , and disbanded shortly afterwards. |
| Communist Party Communist Party of New Zealand The Communist Party of New Zealand was a Communist political party in New Zealand from the 1920s to the early 1990s. It never achieved significant political success, and no longer exists as an independent group, although the Socialist Worker organisation is considered organisationally continuous... |
1929–1994 | Probably New Zealand's most prominent and long-lived communist organisation. The party generally pursued hard-line doctrines, successively following Stalin Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee... 's Soviet Union Soviet Union The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.... , Mao Zedong Mao Zedong Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution... 's China, and Enver Hoxha Enver Hoxha Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania... 's Albania Albania Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea... . In 1993, the party moderated its stance, adopting Trotskyism Trotskyism Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class... . It later merged with another party to form the group now known as Socialist Worker Socialist Worker (Aotearoa) Socialist Worker is a socialist organisation based in Aotearoa/New Zealand.SW evolved out of the group known as the Socialist Workers Organization, the successor organisation of the Communist Party of New Zealand... . |
| Co-operative Party New Zealand Co-operative Party The New Zealand Co-operative Party was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was founded in 1942 by anti-socialist political organiser Albert Davy after he left the People's Movement. Davy had previously managed a number of successful political campaigns for other parties, but had... |
1942 – ? | A short-lived party established by Albert Davy Albert Davy Albert Ernest Davy was a New Zealand political organiser and campaign manager; and at the height of his career, was regarded by some as the best in the country... , a prominent anti-socialist political organiser. It was primarily a breakaway from the larger People's Movement People's Movement (New Zealand) The People's Movement was a political party in New Zealand. It was active in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and was individualist in outlook. It campaigned for a reduction in the size of government, a reform of the civil service, a limit on the powers of political parties, and an end to the... , and Davy rejoined the Movement the year after the Co-operative Party was established. |
| Democrat Party New Zealand Democrat Party The New Zealand Democrat Party was a political party in New Zealand, founded in 1934 with the purpose of opposing "socialist" legislation by the government.... |
1934 – ? | A party established to promote the interests of the commercial sector and to oppose "socialist" legislation. The party contested the 1935 elections New Zealand general election, 1935 The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 25th term. It resulted in the Labour Party's first electoral victory, with Michael Joseph Savage becoming the first Labour Prime Minister... , but failed to win any seats. Ironically, the votes which the Democrats took from the governing coalition may have assisted the victory of the left-wing 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.... that year. The Democrat Party should not be confused with the modern Democratic Party New Zealand Democratic Party The New Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit is a small leftist political party in New Zealand. It is based around the ideas of Social Credit, an economic theory which also attracted some degree of support in Canada and Australia... . |
| Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary... |
2003–2007 | A party based around the Destiny Church, a Christian religious organisation. The party mostly campaigned on a family values Family values Family values are political and social beliefs that hold the nuclear family to be the essential ethical and moral unit of society. Familialism is the ideology that promotes the family and its values as an institution.... platform, and strongly opposed legislative changes such as the creation of same-sex civil union Civil union A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,... s and the legalisation of prostitution. |
| Direct Democracy Party Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand The Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand was a political party in New Zealand that promoted greater participation by the people in the decision-making of government. The party's leader was Kelvyn Alp.... |
2005–2009 | A party which seeks to increase the participation of ordinary citizens in the political process. It advocates a system of referendums similar to that used by Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... . |
| Equal Values Party Equal Values Party The Aotearoa New Zealand Equal Values Party was a small political party in New Zealand. It claimed that the "basic requirements for life" were not being met by either of the two main parties in New Zealand politics , and that a new vision was needed for the country.Its policies included:*The... |
2005 – ? | A left-wing party active during the 2005 election. It supported free education and healthcare, an increase to social welfare benefits, and the establishment of compulsory superannuation schemes. |
| Ethnic Minority Party Ethnic Minority Party of New Zealand The Ethnic Minority Party was a New Zealand political party which focused on Asian voters, particularly Chinese and Indians.The party was formed on 2 April 1996, and hoped to take advantage of the benefits given to smaller parties by the new MMP electoral system. It was organised by Robert Hum, an... |
1996–1997 | A party focused around New Zealand's immigrant community, particularly Chinese and India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... ns. The popularity of New Zealand First New Zealand First New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992... , a party which opposed immigration, was a significant factor in its creation. It merged into United New Zealand United New Zealand United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... , but little trace of it remains today. |
| Family Party | 2007–2010 | A small Christian party established by the former Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary... . |
| Family Rights Protection Party New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party The New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party was a political party in New Zealand. It was primarily based around Pacific Islanders, and claims that the established political parties do not give sufficient consideration to the concerns of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand.The party was approved for... |
2005–2007 | A party established by a group of Pacific Islander Pacific Islander Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:... s who claim that larger parties are taking the support of Pacific Islanders for granted, and do not do enough to help them. |
| Fascist Union | 1997 – ? | A party founded by Colin King-Ansell, a notable far-right activist in New Zealand. The party claimed to model itself on the governments of Mussolini's Benito Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism.... Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... and Perón's Juan Perón Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency... Argentina Argentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... , rather than on Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by... . |
| Freedom Party Freedom Party (New Zealand) The Freedom Party was a political party in New Zealand.It was founded by Gareth Turner and Paul King, formerly members of the ACT New Zealand party. The party was announced on 13 March 2005, the same day that Turner failed to unseat Catherine Judd as president of ACT... |
2005 – ? | A party established by two former members of ACT New Zealand. Its policies were intended to be similar to those of ACT, but the party's founders said that the Freedom Party will be more democratic and accountable to its members. |
| Future New Zealand Future New Zealand The Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... |
1998–2002 | A reconfiguration of the former Christian Democrat Party Christian Democrat Party (New Zealand) The Christian Democrat Party of New Zealand was a Christian political party established in 1995. It contested the 1996 general election as part of the Christian Coalition with the Christian Heritage Party.... . Future New Zealand retained the same family values Family values Family values are political and social beliefs that hold the nuclear family to be the essential ethical and moral unit of society. Familialism is the ideology that promotes the family and its values as an institution.... principles as the Christian Democrats, but abandoned the explicit religious basis. Future New Zealand merged with United New Zealand United New Zealand United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... to form the modern United Future New Zealand. |
| Green Society Green Society The Green Society was a small New Zealand political party dedicated to environmentalism. It was one of three environmentalist parties involved in the 1996 elections, the others being the Green Party and the Progressive Green Party... |
? – ? | A small environmentalist party. The Green Society believed that a true green party needed to be focused solely on the environment, and believed that the Green Party Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it... (then part of the Alliance Alliance (New Zealand political party) The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the... ) and the Progressive Green Party Progressive Green Party (New Zealand) The Progressive Green Party was an environmentalist political party in New Zealand. It was established as a "blue-green" party - that is, one which is environmentalist , but is economically right-wing rather than left-wing .... were both mistaken to take sides in economic and social debates. |
| Imperial British Conservative Party Imperial British Conservative Party The Imperial British Conservative Party was a farcical political party founded by The Wizard of New Zealand. It was dedicated to the grand traditions of British Imperialism in the face of capitalism, globalisation and the distinct lack of culture in Christchurch, New Zealand.The Imperial British... |
1974 – ? | A joke party founded by Ian Brackenbury Channell, better known as "The Wizard of New Zealand". True to its name, it claimed to support imperialism Imperialism Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,... , British people 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... , and conservatism. |
| Liberal Party | 1963 – ? | A party which campaigned in the 1963 elections New Zealand general election, 1963 The 1963 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 34th term. The results were almost identical to those for the previous election, and the governing National Party remained in office.... on a platform of reducing the size of the government, introducing a written constitution, and restoring the upper house of Parliament. |
| Mana Māori Movement Mana Maori Movement The Mana Māori Movement was a New Zealand political party. It advocated on behalf of the Māori people. It was founded by Eva Rickard, a prominent Māori activist. Rickard was originally a member of Mana Motuhake, another Māori party, but quit when Mana Motuhake joined the Alliance... |
1993 – 2005? | A party based around New Zealand's indigenous Māori inhabitants, founded by Eva Rickard Eva Rickard Eva Rickard rose to prominence as an activist for Māori land rights activist and for women’s rights within Māoridom. Her methods included public civil disobedience and she is best known for leading the occupation of Raglan golf course in the 1970s.-Biography:Eva Rickard was most notably regarded... , a prominent Māori activist and a former Mana Motuhake Mana Motuhake Mana Māori Motuhake was a Māori political party in New Zealand. The name is difficult to translate accurately, but essentially refers to Māori self-rule and self-determination — mana, in this context, can be understood as "authority" or "power", while motuhake can be understood as... candidate. |
| Mana Motuhake Mana Motuhake Mana Māori Motuhake was a Māori political party in New Zealand. The name is difficult to translate accurately, but essentially refers to Māori self-rule and self-determination — mana, in this context, can be understood as "authority" or "power", while motuhake can be understood as... |
1979? – 2005? | The most prominent Māori-based party until the creation of the modern Māori Party Maori Party The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led... . Mana Motuhake held a number of seats as part of the Alliance (see above), but most of its support has now been incorporated into the Māori Party. |
| McGillicuddy Serious Party McGillicuddy Serious Party The McGillicuddy Serious Party operated as a satirical political party in New Zealand politics during the late 20th century. Between 1984 and 1999, McGillicuddy Serious provided "colour" to New Zealand politics to ensure that citizens not take the political process too seriously... |
1983–1999 | A joke party intended to satirise Satire Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement... politics in general. Among other deliberately absurd policies it advocated the "Great Leap Backwards", a project to reverse the industrial revolution Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times... and to re-establish a medieval way of life. |
| National Front New Zealand National Front The New Zealand National Front is a small white nationalist political party in New Zealand.-First formation:Mirroring developments in the UK, a group called the National Front evolved out of the New Zealand branch of the League of Empire Loyalists in 1967... |
1968? – 2008 | A far right party which wished to stop non-white immigration, reintroduce capital punishment and conscription, withdraw from international organisations such as the United Nations, and nullify the Treaty of Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand.... . It is sometimes accused of being a neo-Nazi Neo-Nazism Neo-Nazism consists of post-World War II social or political movements seeking to revive Nazism or some variant thereof.The term neo-Nazism can also refer to the ideology of these movements.... group, and although the party denies this it is openly racist. |
| National Socialist Party National Socialist Party of New Zealand The National Socialist Party of New Zealand, sometimes simply called the New Zealand Nazi Party, was a far-right political party in New Zealand. It promulgated the same basic views as Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party in Germany, and had a particular focus on Jews and the banking sector.From 1969 the party... |
1969 – ? | A party founded by prominent far-right activist Colin King-Ansell Colin King-Ansell Colin King-Ansell is a prominent figure in far-right politics in New Zealand. He has been described as "New Zealand’s most notorious Nazi cheerleader and Holocaust denier".In 1967 he joined the National Socialist Party of New Zealand... . It is sometimes considered the first noteworthy far-right party in New Zealand. |
| Natural Law Party | 1995 – 2001? | A party which based its principles on the concept of natural law Natural law Natural law, or the law of nature , is any system of law which is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature and deduce binding rules of moral behavior. Natural law is contrasted with the positive law Natural... as promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Maharishi Mahesh Yogi , born Mahesh Prasad Varma , developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and was the leader and guru of the TM movement, characterised as a new religious movement and also as non-religious... in his theory of Transcendental Meditation Transcendental Meditation Transcendental Meditation refers to the Transcendental Meditation technique, a specific form of mantra meditation, and to the Transcendental Meditation movement, a spiritual movement... . It drew most of its support from the New Age New Age The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational... movement. |
| New Democratic Party New Democratic Party (New Zealand) The New Democratic Party of New Zealand was a small political party established in 1972. It was a splinter group from the better-known Social Credit Party, having been founded by former Social Credit leader John O'Brien. O'Brien was considered a powerful and energetic orator, but had a... |
1972 – ? | A short-lived splinter group of the Social Credit Party Social Credit Party (New Zealand) The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time... , founded by ousted Social Credit leader John O'Brien. It placed fifth in the 1972 elections, but failed to win any seats. |
| New World Order Party New World Order Party The New World Order was a registered political party in New Zealand. The party was founded in 2006 by Nathan Lee Couper. Its stated goal was to bring about global peace through a unified World Government... |
2008 – 2011 | A party promoting global peace through a unified World Government |
| New Zealand Liberals New Zealand Liberal Party (2008) The Liberal Party is a political party in New Zealand which promotes social liberalism. It was founded on 10 March 2008The party is an attempt to revive the old New Zealand Liberal Party. It aims to be a broad progressive party which appeals to middle New Zealand... |
2008 – ? | A small party modelled on the old New Zealand Liberal Party New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... and the UK Liberal Democrats. It advocates constitutional reform, republicanism, and civil rights. |
| New Zealand Party New Zealand Party width=300|thumb|Party logoThe New Zealand Party was a political party operating in New Zealand. It was established by millionaire property tycoon Bob Jones, and promoted both social and economic liberalization. The New Zealand Party's motto was "Freedom and Prosperity", and it has sometimes been... |
1983–1986 | A party established by property tycoon Bob Jones Bob Jones (New Zealand) Sir Robert 'Bob' Jones is a property tycoon, author and former politician in New Zealand. Growing up in the City of Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae, he attended Naenae College and then Victoria University of Wellington... to promote free market Free market A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts... economic policies and liberal social policies. It gained twelve percent of the vote in its first election, but then vanished almost completely. Some regard the modern ACT party as the New Zealand Party's ideological successor, but not everyone accepts this view. |
| No Commercial Airport at Whenuapai Airbase Party No Commercial Airport at Whenuapai Airbase Party The No Commercial Airport at Whenuapai Airbase Party was a local political party in New Zealand which opposed the transformation of Auckland's Whenuapai airbase into a commercial airport... |
2008 | A local party which grew out of the movement opposing a commercial airport at Auckland's Whenuapai Whenuapai Whenuapai is a suburb and airport located in the western Waitakere area of Auckland City, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on the northwestern shore of the Waitemata Harbour, 15 kilometres to the northwest of Auckland's city centre. It is one of the landing points for the Southern... airbase. |
| One New Zealand Party One New Zealand Party The One New Zealand Party was a small political party in New Zealand. It was partly modeled on the Australian One Nation Party, founded by Pauline Hanson. Its primary focus was on matters such as the Treaty of Waitangi, but its wider platform was broadly paleoconservative or producerist... |
1999–2006 | A small party modelled on Pauline Hanson's Pauline Hanson Pauline Lee Hanson is an Australian politician and former leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, a political party with a populist and anti-multiculturalism platform... One Nation Party One Nation Party One Nation is a far-right and nationalist political party in Australia. It gained 22% of the vote translating to 11 of 89 seats in Queensland's unicameral legislative assembly at the 1998 state election and made major inroads into the vote of the existing parties... in Australia. It opposes all special policies towards Māori. |
| Outdoor Recreation NZ Outdoor Recreation New Zealand thumb|Current Outdoor Recreation NZ logoOutdoor Recreation New Zealand is a small political party in New Zealand. It is primarily based around the hunting and fishing lobbies, but also includes other people who participate in other outdoor sports... |
2001–2007 | A party dedicated to promoting the interests of the hunting, fishing, and shooting communities. Outdoor Recreation New Zealand contested 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... under the banner of the United Future party, although the parties did not actually merge. This working arrangement met with disappointing results. |
| Patriot Party New Zealand Patriot Party The New Zealand Patriot Party was a small far-right political party in New Zealand. It was founded by Sid Wilson, formerly the secretary and Auckland regional leader of the New Zealand National Front. Wilson failed to convince any other NZNF officials to join him, and Wilson subsequently returned... |
? – 2005 | A small Auckland-based party established by Sid Wilson, a senior member of the National Front New Zealand National Front The New Zealand National Front is a small white nationalist political party in New Zealand.-First formation:Mirroring developments in the UK, a group called the National Front evolved out of the New Zealand branch of the League of Empire Loyalists in 1967... . The party later merged back into the Front, with Wilson becoming the Front's new leader. |
| People's Choice Party | 1999 – ? | A small party which was registered for the 1999 elections, but which is currently unregistered. It campaigned against MMP and in favour of reducing the size of Parliament. |
| People's Movement People's Movement (New Zealand) The People's Movement was a political party in New Zealand. It was active in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and was individualist in outlook. It campaigned for a reduction in the size of government, a reform of the civil service, a limit on the powers of political parties, and an end to the... |
1940s | A right-wing organisation which supported reductions in the size of government and a reform of the party system. It was a strong supporter of individualism Individualism Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that stresses "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance while opposing most external interference upon one's own... , saying that the government of the time was advocating the subordination of the individual to the state. |
| Phoenix Party | 1960s – 1970s | A small Dunedin-based grouping, founded by Gerald Williams, who saw the then 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.... as moribund and in need of a phoenix Phoenix (mythology) The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians.... -like resurrection. Williams became an effective propagandist, penning campaign literature disguised as parodies of well-known songs. He later transferred his efforts to the Values Party Values Party The Values Party, considered the world's first national-level environmentalist party that pre-dated any fashionable Green terminology, was established in 1972 at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, one of its initial leaders being Tony Brunt... . |
| Progressive Green Party Progressive Green Party (New Zealand) The Progressive Green Party was an environmentalist political party in New Zealand. It was established as a "blue-green" party - that is, one which is environmentalist , but is economically right-wing rather than left-wing .... |
1995 – ? | An environmentalist party established in opposition to the generally left-wing policies of the larger Green Party Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it... . It contested only one election before vanishing, although many of its members became active 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:... . |
| Real Democracy Movement | 1940s | A party which supported the principles of Social Credit Social Credit Social Credit is an economic philosophy developed by C. H. Douglas , a British engineer, who wrote a book by that name in 1924. Social Credit is described by Douglas as "the policy of a philosophy"; he called his philosophy "practical Christianity"... , a theory of monetary reform Monetary reform Monetary reform describes any movement or theory that proposes a different system of supplying money and financing the economy from the current system.Monetary reformers may advocate any of the following, among other proposals:... . It failed to win any seats, but probably contributed to the later Social Credit Party Social Credit Party (New Zealand) The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time... . |
| Reform New Zealand Reform New Zealand Reform New Zealand was a centre-right liberal conservative or classical liberal political party in New Zealand. The party was established by dissatisfied members of ACT New Zealand, and advocates similar policies of low taxation, privatisation, and reduced government. The party never registered on... |
2011 | A right-wing party advocating free market economics, low taxation, and reduced government. |
| Representative Party New Zealand Representative Party The New Zealand Representative Party was a political party in New Zealand. The party's leader was former ACT Party candidate Reg Turner.The party claimed to have no policies, and to oppose traditional left-right politics... |
2008 | A self-proclaimed centrist party aiming at contesting the electorate vote. |
| Republican Party New Zealand Republican Party (1967) The New Zealand Republican Party of 1967 was a political party which campaigned for the creation of a New Zealand republic. It was founded by Bruce Jesson in 1967, and was linked to the Republican Association.... (i) |
1967–1974 | A party established to promote the creation of a New Zealand Republic Republicanism in New Zealand Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic... . It was founded by left-wing activist Bruce Jesson Bruce Jesson Bruce Edward Jesson was a left wing journalist, author and political figure in New Zealand.-Early life:Bruce Edward Jesson was the son of Victor John and Edna Cavell Jesson and the great-grandson of an immigrant from Leicestershire,UKHe was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School Bruce Edward... , and was the product of the Republican Association Republican Association of New Zealand The Republican Association of New Zealand was a political organisation in New Zealand with the aim of supporting the creation of a New Zealand republic.-History:... , an anti-royal protest group founded by Jesson in 1966. |
| Republican Party New Zealand Republican Party (1995) The New Zealand Republican Party of 1995 was a political party which campaigned for the creation of a New Zealand republic as one of its main policies... (ii) |
1995–2002 | A party established to promote the creation of a New Zealand Republic Republicanism in New Zealand Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic... . The party contested the 1999 elections New Zealand general election, 1999 The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance... , but only won 250 votes. Should not be confused with The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party was a political party in New Zealand. The party's registration was cancelled at its own request in 2009... or the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand The Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand is an organisation formed in 1994 whose object is to support the creation of a New Zealand republic . It is Chaired by Lewis Holden. The patron of the Movement is Keri Hulme, a New Zealand writer famous for her 1985 Booker Prize winning novel The Bone... . |
| Residents Action Movement Residents Action Movement The Residents Action Movement was a political party in New Zealand. RAM described itself as a broad left coalition, stretching from social liberals, community activists and former National Party members to social democrats, democratic socialists and left-wing radicals... |
2003–2010 | A left-wing party aiming to bring together social liberals, community activists, social democrats and left-wing radicals. |
| Socialist Party | 1930 – ? | A party established by former members of the New Zealand Marxian Association, a Marxist Marxism Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th... group. Its founders created it as an alternative to the mainstream labour movement, claiming that 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.... had moved too far from its left-wing roots. The Socialist Party eventually became the modern World Socialist Party. |
| Socialist Unity Party Socialist Unity Party (New Zealand) The Socialist Unity Party was one of the better-known communist parties in New Zealand. It had a certain amount of influence in the trade union movement, but never won seats in Parliament.... |
1966 – ? | A splinter group of the Communist Party (see above). It formed around Communist Party members who rejected their party's decision to take China's side in the Sino-Soviet split Sino-Soviet split In political science, the term Sino–Soviet split denotes the worsening of political and ideologic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War... . The Socialist Unity Party became one of the more prominent communist parties in New Zealand. |
| South Island Party South Island Party The South Island Party is the name of two unrelated political parties from New Zealand:*The NZ South Island Party stood in the 1999 General Election*The South Island Party stood in the 2008 General Election... |
? – 2002 | A regionalist Regionalism (politics) Regionalism is a term used in international relations. Regionalism also constitutes one of the three constituents of the international commercial system... party which called for more autonomy for the South Island South Island The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean... , the less populous of New Zealand's two main islands. It drew support predominantly from Otago Otago Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is... and Southland. |
| South Island Party South Island Party (2008) The South Island Party was a small regionalist political party in New Zealand. It advocated South Island Independence. The party's leader was Richard Prosser, a contributor to Investigate, who had previously called for a regional Parliament for the South Island.The party was founded on the belief... |
2008 | A regionalist Regionalism (politics) Regionalism is a term used in international relations. Regionalism also constitutes one of the three constituents of the international commercial system... party supporting South Island Independence. It failed to register and did not run any candidates. |
| Te Tawharau Te Tawharau Te Tawharau was a Māori political party in New Zealand.Te Tawharau briefly had representation in Parliament when Tuariki Delamere, a former New Zealand First MP, transferred his loyalty to it. In the 1999 elections, Te Tawharau contested electorates under its own banner, but contested the party... |
1999–2007 | A Māori party which split off from the Mana Māori Movement. It lapsed with the formation of the Māori Party Maori Party The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led... . |
| The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party was a political party in New Zealand. The party's registration was cancelled at its own request in 2009... |
2005 - 2009 | A party focused on establishing a Republic in New Zealand Republicanism in New Zealand Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic... . It also supports the adoption of a written constitution, the holding of referendums on major issues, and the abolition of race-specific government institutions. |
| United Political Party | ? – ? | A small party established by Tania Harris, known for leading a march in protest against trade unions and strike action. It eventually became part of a "centrist conservative" coalition led by Bruce Beetham Bruce Beetham Bruce Craig Beetham was an academic and politician from New Zealand, whose career spanned the 1970s and early 1980s.A lecturer at Hamilton's University of Waikato and at the Hamilton Teacher's Training College, he was elected leader of the Social Credit Party in 1972, at a time when the party was... . |
| Values Party Values Party The Values Party, considered the world's first national-level environmentalist party that pre-dated any fashionable Green terminology, was established in 1972 at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, one of its initial leaders being Tony Brunt... |
1972–1990 | Sometimes called the world's first national-level green party. Elements of the Values Party eventually contributed to the formation of the modern Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it... . |
| WIN Party WIN Party The WIN Party was a small political party in New Zealand.It was founded by a group of publicans and bar-owners who objected to the government's ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, introduced in December 2004 its leader was Nav Karan Parmar who was an owner of a bar himself... |
2004–2006 | A single-issue party devoted to overturning the recently introduced smoking ban Smoking ban Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces... in bars and restaurants. |
| Women's Independence Party | 1969 – ? | A party established with the goal of "helping to make women realise the power of the vote". It focused most of its attention on the issues it saw as most important to women—the rising cost of living, women's healthcare, and women's rights in divorce. The party was based mainly in Auckland. |
| Workers Party Workers Party of New Zealand The Workers Party of New Zealand was a socialist/communist political party in New Zealand... |
2002 - 2011 | Formerly known as the Anti-Capitalist Alliance. A coalition of socialists and anti-globalisation activists. |
See also
- Politics of New ZealandPolitics of New ZealandThe politics of New Zealand take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The basic system is closely patterned on that of the Westminster System, although a number of significant modifications have been made...
- List of political parties by country
- Socialism in New ZealandSocialism in New ZealandThe degree to which Socialism in New Zealand has been of significance in mainstream politics is debated, as varying definitions of socialism and communism make the extent of its influence difficult to measure. New Zealand has a complicated assortment of socialist causes and organizations...
- Liberalism in New ZealandLiberalism in New ZealandThis article gives an overview of liberalism in New Zealand. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament...
External links
- Elections New Zealand (more information on the election systems)