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.
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 formed the Liberal Party and the Liberal Government.[1] A government is named (by political commentators, as well as self-referentially) for the largest party that leads it[2][3][4] – 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.[5] It is described by Oxford Dictionaries as "a period of government under one prime minister".[6] 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 MMPin1996, most ministers were in the cabinet). Elections do not cause dissolution of the ministry unless they result in the government's defeat.
Since the introduction of MMP in 1996, most 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 "nth National Government" or as "nth Labour Government" simplifies somewhat. An exception to this occurred in 2020, when the incumbent Labour Government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, received a 'clear majority' (over 50%).[7] In 2023, the National Party won the most seats and formed a coalition government with two smaller parties—the government is referred to by the media (and prospectively by the National Party itself[8]) as the "sixth National Government".[9][10]
In the first session of the 1st New Zealand Parliament, three elected members 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, which briefly formed during the second session of the 1st Parliament, also had no real power.[11]
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."[12]
Atkinson Ministry, 1876–77 (Reconstituted): 13 September 1876 to 13 October 1877 (Continuous Ministry)
Grey 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 was Premier, also Sir John Hall and Sir Frederick Whitaker. The Scarecrow Ministry of 1889–90 is sometimes included in the term.
Liberal Government of New Zealand (1891–1912)[edit]
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)[edit]
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 succeeded David Lange 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)[edit]
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).
Scholefield, Guy (1950) [1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. pp. 59–98. OCLC154283103.
Wood, G. A. (1996) [1987]. Ministers and Members in the New Zealand Parliament (2nd ed.). Dunedin: University of Otago Press. pp. 1–84. ISBN1-877133-00-0.
