The New Zealand Government exercises executive power in New Zealand. This article lists spans of government under a party or coalition, as well as ministries under a prime minister. There have been three distinctly different periods of government in New Zealand—firstly, the period before responsible government; second, from 1856 to 1890, the period of responsible government; and the third period started with the formation of political parties in 1891.

Guide to list

This article lists the successive governments of New Zealand since 1856. The first government which formed along political lines did not appear until 1891, when

John Ballance John Ballance (27 March 1839 – 27 April 1893) was an Irish-born New Zealand politician who was the 14th premier of New Zealand, from January 1891 to April 1893, the founder of the Liberal Party (the country's first organised political part ...

formed the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

and the Liberal Government. A government is named (by political commentators, as well as self-referentially) for the largest party that leads it – though compare the United–Reform coalition Government of 1931–1935. The term ' ministry', as used in this article, refers collectively to all the ministers who direct the government. It is described by

Oxford Dictionaries Oxford dictionary may refer to any dictionary published by Oxford University Press, particularly: Historical dictionaries * ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (''OED'') * ''Shorter Oxford English Dictionary'', abridgement of the ''OED'' Single-volume d ...

as "a period of government under one prime minister". At the same time, a period of government under a particular party might be led by a succession of prime ministers and comprise multiple ministries. The ministry includes ''all'' government ministers, inside and outside of cabinet alike (up to the introduction of MMP in 1996, most ministers were in the cabinet).

Elections An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold Public administration, public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative ...

do not cause dissolution of the ministry unless they result in the government's defeat. Since the introduction of MMP in 1996, all New Zealand governments have comprised coalitions of two or more political parties, whether coalescing before and/or after general elections; thus referring to such governments as "''n''th National Government" or as "''n''th Labour Government" simplifies somewhat.

List of ministries

Period without responsible Government (1854–1856)

The

New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 (15 & 16 Vict. c. 72) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted self-government to the Colony of New Zealand. It was the second such Act, the previous 1846 Act not having been fully ...

was an Act of the

Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of Westminster, London. It alone possesses legislative suprema ...

and was the second enactment to grant the colony of New Zealand

self-government __NOTOC__ Self-governance, self-government, or self-rule is the ability of a person or group to exercise all necessary functions of regulation without intervention from an external authority. It may refer to personal conduct or to any form of ...

. The first elections for a New Zealand House of Representatives were held during 1853, and this lower house met for the first time in 1854 in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

. In practice, the country was initially governed by the

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

George Grey Sir George Grey, KCB (14 April 1812 – 19 September 1898) was a British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer. He served in a succession of governing positions: Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Go ...

, with the advice of the Civil Secretary and some officials that were appointed back in 1840/41, namely

Andrew Sinclair Andrew Annandale Sinclair FRSL FRSA (21 January 1935 – 30 May 2019) was a British novelist, historian, biographer, critic, filmmaker, and a publisher of classic and modern film scripts. He has been described as a "writer of extraordinary flu ...

(Colonial Secretary), William Swainson (

Attorney-General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

), and Alexander Shepherd (

Colonial Treasurer Colonial or The Colonial may refer to: * Colonial, of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony or colony (biology) Architecture * American colonial architecture * French Colonial * Spanish Colonial architecture Automobiles * Colonial (1920 au ...

). In the first session of the

1st New Zealand Parliament The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election (held the previous year). It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's ...

, three elected member took office under the leadership of James FitzGerald, to be later joined by two members of the Legislative Council. Whilst they were the first official Executive Government under the Constitution, the practical administration remained with the Government officials. The second Ministry led by

Thomas Forsaith Thomas Spencer Forsaith, JP (18 July 1814 – 29 November 1898), was a New Zealand politician and an Auckland draper. According to some historians, he was the country's second premier, although a more conventional view states that neither he nor ...

, which briefly formed during the second session of the 1st Parliament, also had no real power. *Unofficial members: Fitzgerald Ministry, 1854; 14 June 1854 to 2 August 1854 *Unofficial members: Forsaith Ministry, 1854; 31 August 1854 to 2 September 1854

Cabinet Government (1856–1890)

Responsible government commenced with the third ministry, led by

Henry Sewell Henry Sewell (7 September 1807 – 14 May 1879) was a prominent 19th-century New Zealand politician. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first premier (an office ...

during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament: *

Sewell Ministry, 1856 The Sewell Ministry was the first responsible government in New Zealand. Unlike previous executives, its members were held accountable to Parliament. This would form the basis for future governments in New Zealand. The ministry formed in 1856, ...

: 18 April 1856 to 20 May 1856 * Fox Ministry, 1856: 20 May 1856 to 2 June 1856 * Stafford Ministry, 1856–61: 2 June 1856 to 12 July 1861 *Fox Ministry, 1861–62: 12 July 1861 to 6 August 1862 * Domett Ministry, 1862–63: 6 August 1862 to 30 October 1863 * Whitaker-Fox Ministry, 1863–64: 30 October 1863 to 24 November 1864 * Weld Ministry, 1864–65: 24 November 1864 to 16 October 1865 *Stafford Ministry, 1865–69: 16 October 1865 to 28 June 1869 :Note that Wilson says: "Ministry was defeated on 15 August 1866 and resigned, but carried on in a caretaker capacity. However 3 Ministers resigned and were replaced. Though this was regarded as a new ministry, it was in fact a reconstruction, and is so regarded here." *Fox Ministry, 1869–72: 28 June 1869 to 10 September 1872 *Stafford Ministry, 1872: 10 September 1872 to 11 October 1872 * Waterhouse Ministry, 1872–73: 11 October 1872 to 3 March 1873 *Fox Ministry, 1873: 3 March 1873 to 8 April 1873 * Vogel Ministry, 1873–75: 8 April 1873 to 6 July 1875 * Pollen Ministry, 1875–76: 6 July 1875 to 15 February 1876 *Vogel Ministry, 1876: 15 February 1876 to 1 September 1876 *

Atkinson Atkinson may refer to: Places *Atkinson, Nova Scotia, Canada * Atkinson, Dominica, a village in Dominica *Atkinson, Illinois, U.S. * Atkinson, Indiana, U.S. *Atkinson, Maine, U.S. *Atkinson Lake, a lake in Minnesota, U.S. *Atkinson, Nebraska, U. ...

Ministry, 1876: 1 September 1876 to 13 September 1876 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *Atkinson Ministry, 1876–77 (Reconstituted): 13 September 1876 to 13 October 1877 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *

Grey Grey (more common in British English) or gray (more common in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally that it is "without color", because it can be composed o ...

Ministry, 1877–79: 13 October 1877 to 8 October 1879 *Hall Ministry, 1879–82: 8 October 1879 to 21 April 1882 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *Whitaker Ministry, 1882–83: 21 April 1882 to 25 September 1883 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *Atkinson Ministry, 1883–84: 25 September 1883 to 16 August 1884 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884: 16 August 1884 to 28 August 1884 *Atkinson Ministry, 1884: 28 August 1884 to 3 September 1884 ('' Continuous Ministry'') *Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884–87: 3 September 1884 to 8 October 1887 *Atkinson Ministry, 1887–91: 8 October 1887 to 24 January 1891 (known as the '' Scarecrow Ministry'') :Note that the '' Continuous Ministry'' is a term for the government of New Zealand from 1876 to 1890 (or 1887), except for 1877–79 and 1884–87. Sir

Harry Atkinson Sir Harry Albert Atkinson (1 November 1831 – 28 June 1892) served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding ...

was Premier, also Sir John Hall and Sir

Frederick Whitaker Sir Frederick Whitaker (23 April 1812 – 4 December 1891) was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General. Early life Whitaker was born at the Deanery Manor House, B ...

. The ''Scarecrow Ministry'' of 1889–90 is sometimes included in the term.

Liberal Government of New Zealand (1891–1912)

*Ballance Ministry, 1891–93: 24 January 1891 to 1 May 1893 *Seddon Ministry, 1893–1906: 1 May 1893 to 21 June 1906 *Hall-Jones Ministry, 1906: 21 June 1906 to 6 August 1906 *Ward Ministry, 1906–1912: 6 August 1906 to 28 March 1912 *MacKenzie Ministry, 1912: 28 March 1912 to 10 July 1912

Reform Government of New Zealand (1912–1928)

*Massey Ministry, 1912–1915: 10 July 1912 to 12 August 1915 *National Ministry, 1915–1919: 12 August 1915 to 3 September 1919 (?) *Massey Ministry, 1919–1925: 4 September 1919 to 14 May 1925 *Bell Ministry, 1925: 14 May 1925 to 30 May 1925 *Coates Ministry, 1925–1928: 30 May 1925 to 10 December 1928

United Government of New Zealand (1928–1931)

*Ward Ministry, 1928–1930: 10 December 1928 to 28 May 1930 *Forbes Ministry, 1930–1931: 28 May 1930 to 22 September 1931

United–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand (1931–1935)

*Forbes (Coalition) Ministry, 1931–1935: 22 September 1931 to 6 December 1935

First Labour Government of New Zealand (1935–1949)

* Savage Ministry, 1935–1940: 6 December 1935 to 1 April 1940 * Fraser Ministry, 1940–1949: 1 April 1940 to 13 December 1949 * "War Cabinet": 16 July 1940 to 21 August 1945 *"War Administration": 30 June 1942 to 2 October 1945 :Note: The War Cabinet was responsible for all decisions related to war matters. The War Administration was charged with the responsibility for all matters connected with the war and with New Zealand's war effort. The War Cabinet acted as its executive body. Both included opposition members. :Note: Wood has three Fraser Ministries: 1 April 1940 to 29 October 1943; 29 October 1943 to 19 December 1946; 19 December 1946 to 13 December 1949.

First National Government of New Zealand (1949–1957)

* Holland (First) Ministry: 1949–1954: 13 December 1949 to 26 November 1954 * Holland (Second) Ministry: 1954–1957: 26 November 1954 to 20 September 1957 * Holyoake (First) Ministry: 1957: 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957

Second Labour Government of New Zealand (1957–1960)

* Nash Ministry: 1957–1960: 12 December 1957 to 12 December 1960

Second National Government of New Zealand (1960–1972)

* Holyoake (Second) Ministry: 1960–1972: 12 December 1960 to 7 February 1972 * Marshall Ministry: 1972: 7 February 1972 to 8 December 1972

Third Labour Government of New Zealand (1972–1975)

* Kirk Ministry: 1972–1974: 8 December 1972 to 10 September 1974 * Rowling Ministry, 1974–1975: 6 September 1974 to 12 December 1975 :Note: while Rowling was sworn in on 6 September, his ministers were not sworn in until 10 September

Third National Government of New Zealand (1975–1984)

* Muldoon Ministry, 1975–1984: 12 December 1975 to 26 July 1984 Note: Wood has three Muldoon Ministries: 12 December 1975 to 13 December 1978; 13 December 1978 to 11 December 1981; 11 December 1981 to 26 July 1984

Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand (1984–1990)

*Lange Ministry, 1984–1989: from 26 July 1984 to 8 August 1989 *Palmer/Moore Ministry, 1989–1990: from 8 August 1989 to 2 November 1990 Note:

Geoffrey Palmer Geoffrey Palmer may refer to: Politicians * Sir Geoffrey Palmer, 1st Baronet (1598–1670), English lawyer and politician *Sir Geoffrey Palmer, 3rd Baronet (1655–1732), English politician, Member of Parliament (MP) for Leicestershire *Geoffrey Pa ...

succeeded

David Lange David Russell Lange ( ; 4 August 1942 – 13 August 2005) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 32nd prime minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. Lange was born and brought up in Otahuhu, the son of a medical doctor. He became ...

as Prime Minister on 8 August 1989; his ministers were appointed on 14 August 1989. Palmer was succeeded by Mike Moore on 4 September 1990. Moore made no separate ministerial appointments from those already appointed by Palmer.

Fourth National Government of New Zealand (1990–1999)

*Bolger Ministry, 1990–1997: from 2 November 1990 to 8 December 1997 *Shipley Ministry, 1997–1999: from 8 December 1997 to 10 December 1999

Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand (1999–2008)

*Clark Ministry, 1999–2008: from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008.''Evening Post'' (Wellington) 8 December page 1 & 10 December page 1

Fifth National Government of New Zealand (2008–2017)

*Key Ministry, 2008–2016: from 19 November 2008 to 12 December 2016 *English Ministry, 2016–2017: from 12 December 2016 to 26 October 2017

Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand (2017–present)

*Ardern Ministry, 2017–present: 26 October 2017 to present

Graphical timeline

''Note:'' Colours signify the largest party within each government, i.e. the senior partner in a coalition government (with the exception of the United–Reform coalition).

References

Citations

Sources

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