New Zealand Government
New Zealand Government | |
---|---|
Māori: Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa | |
Overview | |
Established | 30 June 1852[1] |
Country | New Zealand |
Leader | Prime Minister Christopher Luxon |
Appointed by | Governor-General Cindy Kiro[2] |
Main organ | |
Ministries | 32 The Beehive and other locations across Wellington[8] |
Website |
New Zealand portal |
The New Zealand Government (
Executive power is exercised by ministers, all of whom are sworn into the Executive Council and accountable to the elected legislature, the House of Representatives.[12] Several senior ministers (usually 20) constitute a collective decision-making body known as the Cabinet, which is led by the prime minister[13] (currently Christopher Luxon). A few more ministers (usually junior or supporting) are part of the Executive Council but are outside Cabinet. Most ministers have a portfolio of specific responsibilities such as departments or policy areas, although ministers without portfolio can be appointed.
The position of prime minister belongs to the person who commands the confidence of the majority of members in the House of Representatives. The position is determined also by several other factors, such as support agreements between parties and internal leadership votes in the party that leads the Government. The prime minister and other ministers are formally appointed by the governor-general (who is the King's personal representative in New Zealand).[12] By convention, the governor-general acts on the advice of the prime minister in appointing ministers.
Terminology
In New Zealand, the term Government can have a number of different meanings. At its widest, it can refer collectively to the three traditional branches of government—namely, the executive branch, legislative branch (the King-in-Parliament and House of Representatives) and judicial branch (the Supreme Court and subordinate courts).[14] Each branch operates independently of the others in an arrangement described as "separation of powers".[15]
More commonly, the term is used to refer specifically to the executive branch.[15] The largest party or coalition in the House of Representatives, with a sufficient number of MPs to win crucial parliamentary votes, will form a Cabinet—this is the sense intended when it is said that a political party "forms the government".[16][17] The Constitution Act 1986, the principal part of New Zealand's constitution, locates the executive government in the Executive Council,[12] which also includes ministers outside Cabinet.[18]
The Executive Wing of
beehive.govt.nz
.[21]
History
The first New Zealand Constitution Act was passed in 1846, though Governor George Grey was opposed to its implementation, specifically the proposed division of the country into European and Māori districts, and stated that settlers were not ready for self-government. As a result, almost all of the Act was suspended pending the new Act of 1852. New Zealand was at this time being governed as a Crown colony. Prior to the act, the basic document setting out the governance of New Zealand since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi was the Charter for Erecting the Colony of New Zealand of 1840.[22][23]
New Zealand was granted
The
List of successive governments
In short, there have been three distinctly different periods of New Zealand government—firstly, the period before responsible government; second, from 1856 to 1890, the period in which responsible government begins; and the third period starting with the formation of political parties in 1891.[31]
By convention, a distinct government is named after the largest party that leads it.[32][33][34]
The role of the king and the governor-general
The New Zealand Government is formally styled [His] Majesty's Government in the Seal of New Zealand Act 1977.[35] This is a reference to the monarch, King Charles III, who is the head of state under the Constitution Act 1986.[12] The legal authority of the state that is vested in the monarch, known as "the Crown", which is the source of the executive power exercised by the Government.[15][36] Sovereignty in New Zealand has never rested solely with the monarch due to the English Bill of Rights 1689, later inherited by New Zealand, which establishes the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.[37] Nonetheless, the Constitution Act describes the monarch as the "Sovereign".[12]
In many areas, the Crown possesses a body of powers known as the
The king rarely personally exercises his executive powers; since the sovereign does not normally reside in New Zealand, he appoints a governor-general to represent him and exercise most of his powers.[46] The person who fills this role is selected on the advice of the prime minister.[46] "Advice" in this sense is a choice without options since it would be highly unconventional for the prime minister's advice to be ignored—a convention that protects the monarchy. As long as the monarch is following the advice of his ministers, he is not held personally responsible for the decisions of the Government. The governor-general has no official term limit, and is said to serve "at His Majesty's pleasure".[47]
As per the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy, the king and his representative rarely intervene directly in political affairs.[46] Just as the sovereign's choice of governor-general is on the prime minister's advice, the governor-general exercises the executive powers of state on the advice of ministers.[12] For example, the governor-general's power to withhold the Royal Assent to bills of parliament has been rendered ineffective by the convention.[43]
Government in Parliament
Under the conventions of the
The Constitution Act 1986 stipulates that general elections must be held at least every three years,[53] making this the maximum period of time that a government can serve without seeking renewal of its mandate.[54] Upon the dissolution of Parliament (preceding a general election) ministers are no longer members of the House of Representatives; however, they can remain members of the Executive Council "until the expiration of the 28th day after the day on which that person ceases to be a member of Parliament".[12]
Ministers
Also known as "ministers of the Crown", these are members of Parliament who hold ministerial warrants from the Crown to perform certain functions of government. This includes formulating and implementing policies and advising the governor-general.[55] Before 1996 nearly all ministers were members of the Cabinet, but since the introduction of proportional representation, which has led to complex governing arrangements, there are currently three categories of minister: ministers in Cabinet, ministers outside Cabinet, and ministers from supporting parties.[56]
Executive Council
The Executive Council, established under the Letters Patent 1983, is a formal body that meets to give legal effect to decisions made by the Cabinet, and to carry out various other functions, such as the making of certain appointments to government agencies and boards. The Executive Council's primary function is to issue Orders in Council, which are legally binding regulations made by the Government.[47][57]
All ministers are members of the Executive Council, and are styled "The Honourable" while in office (or for life if the prime minister recommends it),[58] except for the prime minister, who is entitled to be styled "The Right Honourable" for life.[59] Although not a member of the Executive Council, the governor-general usually presides at Council meetings.[60]
Cabinet
Cabinet (Māori: Te Rūnanga) is the senior decision-making body of the Government.[61][62] Constitutional law, such as the Constitution Act 1986, does not recognise the Cabinet as a legal entity; it exists solely by constitutional convention.[63][64] Its decisions do not in and of themselves have legal force; however, it serves as the practical expression of the Executive Council, which is New Zealand's highest formal governmental body.[55]
The prime minister is responsible for chairing meetings of Cabinet.[29] The governor-general will appoint as prime minister the person most likely to receive the confidence of the House of Representatives to lead the Government. In practice, the appointment is determined by size of each political party, support agreements between parties, and leadership votes in the party that leads the Government.[29][65] The prime minister then advises the governor-general to appoint other ministers. Each minister is responsible for the general administration of at least one portfolio, and heads a corresponding public service department .[62][66] The most important minister, following the prime minister, is the finance minister, while other high-profile portfolios include foreign affairs, justice, health and education.
Traditionally, all members are
The legislative agenda of Parliament is determined by the Cabinet. At the start of each new parliamentary term, the governor-general gives an address prepared by the Cabinet that outlines the Government's policy and legislative proposals.[70]
Ministers outside Cabinet
A few other ministers serve in the Executive Council but outside of Cabinet. Since the introduction of MMP, governments have been formed following agreements between a major party and smaller support parties. In such arrangements, government ministers from the support parties are often ministers outside Cabinet.[69] Non-Cabinet ministers may also be from the major governing party, as has been the case in recent governments.[71] Ministers outside the Cabinet have the same overall duties and responsibilities as their senior colleagues inside Cabinet.[62][13]
Current composition
The current
List of ministers
The table below lists all ministers, as of 24 April 2024[update].
National | |
NZ First | |
ACT |
Ranking | Portfolios | Image | Incumbent | Additional responsibilities | Electorate | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Minister for National Security and Intelligence
|
Christopher Luxon | Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services | Botany | ||
2 | Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister for Racing |
Winston Peters | List | |||
3 | Minister for Regulation | David Seymour | Associate Minister of Education (Partnership Schools) Associate Minister of Finance Associate Minister of Health (Pharmac) Associate Minister of Justice (Treaty Principles Bill) |
Epsom | ||
4 | Minister of Finance Minister for the Public Service Minister for Social Investment |
Nicola Willis | Associate Minister of Climate Change | List | ||
5 | Minister of Housing Minister for Infrastructure Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Minister for Sport and Recreation |
Chris Bishop | Leader of the House Associate Minister of Finance |
Hutt South
| ||
6 | Minister of Health Minister for Pacific Peoples |
Shane Reti | Whangārei | |||
7 | Minister of Internal Affairs Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety |
Brooke van Velden | Tāmaki | |||
8 | Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Minister for Regional Development Minister for Resources |
Shane Jones | Associate Minister of Finance Associate Minister for Energy |
List | ||
9 | Simeon Brown | Minister for Auckland Deputy Leader of the House |
Pakuranga | |||
10 | Minister of Education Minister for Immigration |
Erica Stanford | East Coast Bays | |||
11 | Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister of Justice Minister for Media and Communications Minister for State Owned Enterprises Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations |
Paul Goldsmith | List | |||
12 | Minister for Social Development and Employment
|
Louise Upston | Minister for Child Poverty Reduction | Taupō | ||
13 | Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
Minister for Space |
Judith Collins | Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques | Papakura | ||
14 | Minister of Corrections Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Minister of Police |
Mark Mitchell | Whangaparāoa | |||
15 | Minister of Agriculture Minister of Forestry Minister for Hunting and Fishing Minister for Trade |
Todd McClay | Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs | Rotorua | ||
16 | Minister of Conservation Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister for Māori Development Minister for Whānau Ora |
Tama Potaka | Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) | Hamilton West | ||
17 | Minister for ACC Minister for Mental Health Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Minister for Youth |
Matt Doocey | Associate Minister of Health Associate Minister of Transport |
Waimakariri | ||
18 | Minister for Courts | Nicole McKee | Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms) | List | ||
19 | Minister of Customs Minister for Seniors |
Casey Costello | Associate Minister of Health Associate Minister for Immigration Associate Minister for Police |
List | ||
20 | Minister of Revenue
|
Simon Watts | North Shore | |||
Ministers outside Cabinet[n 1] | ||||||
– | Minister for Economic Development Minister for Ethnic Communities |
Melissa Lee | Associate Minister for ACC | List | ||
– | Minister for the Environment Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills |
Penny Simmonds | Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment | Invercargill | ||
– | Minister for Building and Construction Minister for Land Information Minister for Veterans |
Chris Penk | Associate Minister of Defence Associate Minister of Immigration |
Kaipara ki Mahurangi
| ||
– | Minister of State for Trade Minister for Women |
Nicola Grigg | Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture) | Selwyn | ||
– | Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Minister of Statistics |
Andrew Bayly | Port Waikato | |||
– | Minister for Biosecurity Minister for Food Safety |
Andrew Hoggard | Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) Associate Minister for the Environment |
List | ||
– | Minister for Children
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence |
Karen Chhour | List | |||
– | Minister for Rural Communities | Mark Patterson | Associate Minister of Agriculture Associate Minister for Regional Development |
List | ||
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries | ||||||
– | Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Media and Communications and Minister for Oceans and Fisheries |
Jenny Marcroft | List | |||
– | Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for RMA Reform |
Simon Court | List |
Notes
- ^ Only members regularly attend Cabinet meetings, although ministers outside Cabinet and support party ministers can be invited to attend if an area of their portfolio is on the agenda. Thus all ministers listed below have a role in Cabinet's decision-making.
Departments and other public sector organisations
New Zealand's
The wider state sector
Relationship with local government
There are two main tiers of elected local authorities—
See also
- Kāwanatanga, a Māori word for "governorship", appearing in the Treaty of Waitangi
- Politics of New Zealand, for a description of other jurisdictions, politics and political institutions
- New Zealand Gazette, the official Government newspaper
- New Zealand order of precedence
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand)
- Official Opposition (New Zealand)
References
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Further reading
- Palmer, Geoffrey; Palmer, Matthew (2004). Bridled Power: New Zealand's constitution and government (4th ed.). South Melbourne, Vic. [u.a.]: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-195-58463-9.
External links
- Official website
- Govt.nz – public sector information website