Fifth National Government of New Zealand
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The Fifth National Government of New Zealand was the
government of New Zealand , background_color = #012169 , image = New Zealand Government wordmark.svg , image_size=250px , date_established = , country = New Zealand , leader_title = Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , appointed = Governor-General , main_organ = , ...
for three parliamentary terms from 19 November 2008 to 26 October 2017.
John Key Sir John Phillip Key (born 9 August 1961) is a New Zealand retired politician who served as the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 and as Leader of the New Zealand National Party from 2006 to 2016. After resigning from bo ...
served as National Leader and Prime Minister until December 2016, after which
Bill English Sir Simon William English (born 30 December 1961) is a New Zealand former National Party politician who served as the 39th prime minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017 and as the 17th deputy prime minister of New Zealand and minister of f ...
assumed the premiership until the National Government's defeat following the October 2017 government-forming negotiations. After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from
Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was ...
's
Fifth Labour Government The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008. Labour Party leader Helen Clark negotiated a coalition with Jim Anderton, leader of the Alliance Party. While undertaking ...
. It was subsequently reformed after the 2011 general election with a reduced number of seats, and after the 2014 general election with a reduced share of the party vote but the same number of seats. The Government had confidence and supply agreements with the following parties: ACT,
United Future United Future New Zealand, usually known as United Future, was a centrist political party in New Zealand. The party was in government between 2005 and 2017, first alongside Labour (2005–2008) and then supporting National (2008–2017). U ...
, and the
Māori Party Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...
– which gave the Government a majority on major legislation. The National Party also signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Green Party A green party is a formally organized political party based on the principles of green politics, such as social justice, environmentalism and nonviolence. Greens believe that these issues are inherently related to one another as a foundation f ...
after the 2008 election, but this lapsed in 2011 and was not renewed.


Significant policies


Treaty of Waitangi/Settlements

The involvement of the National government within this particular area was seen through their approach in settlements. National government's involvement of Treaty affairs: * Ngai Tuhoe deed of settlement These involved discussion and planning of guidelines which were negotiated with two significant iwis of Taranaki. This also involved Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson. * Apology to affiliate Te Arawa In relation to past Treaty breaches and the actions of the previous governments at the time of the land wars. John Key apologized for the actions and doings of the abuses to the Te Arawa iwi and hapu. * Negotiation with Te Atiawa and Taranaki iwi


Economic

The Government was elected in the context of the
late 2000s recession The Great Recession was a period of marked general decline, i.e. a recession, observed in national economies globally that occurred from late 2007 into 2009. The scale and timing of the recession varied from country to country (see map). At t ...
. * The
Fifth Labour Government The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008. Labour Party leader Helen Clark negotiated a coalition with Jim Anderton, leader of the Alliance Party. While undertaking ...
's
Emissions Trading Scheme Emissions trading is a market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing the emissions of pollutants. The concept is also known as cap and trade (CAT) or emissions trading scheme (ETS). Carbon emission t ...
was delayed and the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee was set up to review the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme in accordance with the coalition agreement with the ACT New Zealand, ACT Party. In November 2009, an amended version of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme was adopted. * Personal tax cuts, reducing taxes on all income; the top personal tax rate was lowered from 39% to 38% and then 33%. * Abolished the Loss Attributing Qualifying Company (LAQC) tax structure, which had allowed individuals (mainly property investors) to reduce their individual income tax by off setting their LAQCs losses (the Look-through company structure replaced LAQCs, but without the tax benefits). * Increased GST from 12.5% to 15% in October 2010. * Increased the minimum wage from $12.00 per hour to $13.00 per hour in its first term, and to $14.25 in its second term. This represents a nominal 3.1% average annual increase, significantly lower than the previous government's nominal 7.9% annual average increase. * Suspended payments to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. * Introduced the nine-day working fortnight for businesses who were considering laying off staff. * Capped the minimum employers' contributions to KiwiSaver at 2%, the amount was due to increase to 4% by 2011 and gave employees the option to contribute as little as 2% of their income to KiwiSaver where previously the smallest contribution amount was 4%. The minimum employee and minimum employer contributions were raised to 3% in April 2013. * Introduced the "mixed ownership model" plan, in which the Government planned to reduce its share in Genesis Energy Limited, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mercury Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy from 100% to 51% and Air New Zealand from 74% to 51%, and privatization, sell off the remainder. The plans to sell down Solid Energy were later axed due to the company's poor financial position. 2013 New Zealand asset sales referendum, A citizens-initiated referendum on the sell-downs returned a 67.3% vote in opposition (on a turnout of 45.1%). * Ultra-Fast Broadband rollout of fibre to the house to 87% of households * * Seven Roads of National Significance *Significant investments in the rebuilding of Christchurch after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Canterbury earthquakes


Constitution

* Repealed the Electoral Finance Act 2007 * Introduced the Governor-General Act 2010, to reform the Governor-General of New Zealand, Governor-General's salary and allowances. * A 2011 New Zealand voting method referendum, second referendum alongside the 2011 election on Electoral reform in New Zealand, the voting system, and after the majority voted in the referendum to retain the existing mixed member proportional system, an independent review on the workings of the MMP system. * A Constitution of New Zealand#Constitutional Review, Constitutional Review (as part of confidence and supply agreement with the
Māori Party Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...
) starting in 2011.


Social policy

* Extended the paid parental leave scheme by four weeks * Introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2008 (the "90-day working bill") in December 2008 which allowed employers with less than 20 staff to dismiss an employee within the first 90 days of employment for no particular reason. In 2010 the bill was extended to all employers. * Allowed employees to cash in their fourth week of annual leave, employees can now take 3 weeks holiday and be paid for the fourth while still working. The fourth week of annual leave was introduced by the previous government. * A lifetime limit on student loans was introduced: if a student has studied more than 7 EFTS within their lifetime the student can no longer take out any further loans. Students receiving New Zealand Superannuation Fund payments or Veterans Pension can no longer receive the Student Allowance at the same time. Students are now required to pass more than half of their studies each year to receive a Student Loan or Allowance the following year, previously this requirement only affected the Student Allowance. * Reformed social security benefits by consolidating seven major benefits into three new ones. *In 2015, introduced a $790 million of extra spending to reduce hardship among children in New Zealand’s poorest families. *Invested in insulating New Zealand homes via the ''Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes'' programme which targets low-income households.


Foreign affairs

* Allowed U.S. navy ship into New Zealand for the New Zealand Navy 75th anniversary without confirmation regarding nuclear weapons for the first time in 33 years * Won a seat on the United Nations Security Council, UN Security Council in the 2014 election, a process that started in 2004.


Defence

* In 2012, New Zealand and the U.S. signed the Washington Declaration, strengthening military cooperation and defence relations, for the first time in more than 30 years. * Removal of the position of Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control. * The government released a new Defence White Paper in 2016, outlining the New Zealand government's strategic defence policy objectives and how the Defence Force will be structured to meet these objectives by 2030 and beyond.


National identity

* Restored titles ('Sir' and 'Dame') in the New Zealand honours system. * Officially ended appointments to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, which would have meant that no new designations of "The Right Honourable" would be made, and that instead ministers will be known simply as "The Honorable". However, on 2 August 2010 it was announced by Monarchy of New Zealand, the Queen of New Zealand that those appointed to offices of Governor-General, Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chief Justice would be given the title "The Right Honourable" for life, "to preserve an important mark of distinction for the holders of the nation's highest public offices". Prime Minister John Key said "he appreciated the title" and also stated "Her Majesty believes it is appropriate also to acknowledge the service of the Governor-General, the Queen's representative in New Zealand, the Speaker, the highest officer in the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice, the head of the judicial branch of government". *2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums, Two referendums on flag change; one to determine a possible alternative, the other to decide whether to change or not.


Education

* Introduction of National Standards for primary and intermediate school children. * Planned to change teacher to student ratios in the 2012 Budget, but withdrew two weeks later due to miscalculations regarding the effect of changes on intermediate schools and public opposition. * Removal of all student allowances for postgraduate study at University. * Rejected a bill for state-funded breakfast and lunch to be provided to students at all low-decile schools. *Invested $359 million to strengthen leadership and quality teaching across schools. This investment created new principal and teacher roles. *In 2016 invested $883 million in a building program to deliver various building projects including 480 new classrooms and nine new schools. This includes $168 million for the Christchurch schools rebuild programme.


Local government

*In 2009 and 2010, the Government merged four city councils, three district councils and the Auckland Regional Council into one unitary "Auckland Council, Super City". The Government's action differed from the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance. *In March 2010, the Government removed the Canterbury Region, Environment Canterbury's Councillors and replaced them with appointed commissioners. The 2010 New Zealand local elections, elections in 2010 of Environment Canterbury councillors which were pending in 2013 were postponed to ensure a Water Management Plan for Canterbury would be created.


Health

* Increased amounts of elective surgery *Provided free GP visits and free prescriptions for children aged under 13 from July 2015. *Provided funding for the rheumatic fever prevention programme *Rebuilt Christchurch Hospital and Burwood Hospitals


History


2008 election

The 2008 general election saw the Fifth National Government elected to power with 44.93 per cent of the popular vote, ending nine years of Labour government. National formed a minority government with confidence-and-supply support from the ACT,
United Future United Future New Zealand, usually known as United Future, was a centrist political party in New Zealand. The party was in government between 2005 and 2017, first alongside Labour (2005–2008) and then supporting National (2008–2017). U ...
and Māori Party, Māori parties. The Governor-General swore Key in as New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister on 19 November 2008.


2011 election

The 2011 general election saw the Fifth National Government continue with confidence-and-supply from the ACT, United Future and Maori parties. National increased its share of the party vote to 47.3 percent, but gained only one additional seat to 59 due to a reduced wasted vote (down to 3.4 percent from 6.5 percent in 2008), largely stemming from the return of the New Zealand First party to Parliament after a one term absence. National's increased share of votes however largely came at the expense of its support parties, which saw decreases in vote share and seats. ACT only gained a third of its 2008 vote with 1.07 percent, reducing its seats from five to just one, while the defection of Hone Harawira to form the Mana Party saw the Maori Party's share of vote split, reducing the party to 1.43 percent and reducing the number of seats to three. The United Future Party saw its party vote drop by a quarter to 0.60 percent, but retained its single seat. The reformed Government and its supporters therefore held 50.41 percent of the party vote and 64 of the 121 seats in Parliament.


2014 election

The 2014 general election saw the Fifth National Government returned again, gaining a plurality with 47.0% of the party vote and 60 of the 121 seats. On election night counts the party appeared to hold the first majority since 1994 with 61 seats, but lost a list seat (for Maureen Pugh) to the Green Party on the official count (including special votes) of the party vote. National re-entered confidence and supply agreements with the centrist United Future New Zealand, United Future, the classical liberal ACT New Zealand, ACT Party, and the indigenous rights-based
Māori Party Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...
to form a minority government. Subsequently, with the sudden resignation of Mike Sabin the National MP for in January 2015, and his replacement in the subsequent by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, the government became more dependent on the support parties.


Election results

The following table shows the total votes* for National, plus parties supporting the National-led government. For more details of election results, see the relevant election articles. * Following the 2008, 2011 and 2014 elections, National gained support on matters of confidence and supply agreement, confidence and supply from ACT, the
Māori Party Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...
and United Future New Zealand, United Future.


Prime Minister

National Party leader John Key was Prime Minister of New Zealand, Prime Minister between when the government was elected in the 2008 New Zealand general election, 2008 elections, up until his resignation on 12 December 2016. The National Party held a 2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election, leadership election to determine Key's successor as National Party leader and Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister Bill English announced that he would be standing for the leadership on 6 December 2016. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman (politician), Jonathan Coleman and Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins also announced their intention to seek the leadership, but dropped out due to low support from National Party colleagues. After Coleman and Collins' withdrawal, English was sworn in as the 39th Prime Minister on 12 December 2016. State Services Minister Paula Bennett and Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced they would contest the consequential vacancy for Deputy Leader; Bridges dropped out of the race after it was clear Bennett had greater support.


Cabinet Ministers


References


Further reading

*


External links


National's Ministry focused on growth, prosperity
''Beehive Press Release'', 19 November 2009.
National-ACT agreement announced
''Beehive Press Release'', 19 November 2009.
National-United Future agreement announced
''Beehive Press Release'', 19 November 2009.
National-Maori Party agreement announced
''Beehive Press Release'', 19 November 2009.
Memorandum of Understanding between the New Zealand National Party and the Green Party of Aotearoa
8 April 2009. {{DEFAULTSORT:Fifth National Government Of New Zealand Ministries of Elizabeth II Governments of New Zealand, National 5 New Zealand National Party 2000s in New Zealand 2008 establishments in New Zealand 2017 disestablishments in New Zealand Cabinets established in 2008 Cabinets disestablished in 2017 2010s in New Zealand