:New Zealand Government

{{About|the executive branch of government in New Zealand|the wider political system|Politics of New Zealand|a listing of successive governments|List of New Zealand governments}}

{{ Infobox executive government

| government_name = New Zealand Government

| nativename = {{langx|mi|Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa}}

| background_color = #012169

| border = central

| image = New Zealand Government wordmark.svg

| image_size = 250px

| date_established = {{Start date and age|1852|6|30|df=yes}}30 June 1852 is the date the Constitution Act 1852 was assented to. See {{Citation|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/new-zealand-s-first-constitution-act-passed-165-years-ago/|title=New Zealand's first Constitution Act passed 165 years ago|date=30 June 2017|website=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=25 May 2020}}

| country = New Zealand

| leader_title = Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

| appointed = Governor-General
Cindy Kiro{{Cite web|url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/supporting-work-cabinet/cabinet-manual/2-ministers-crown-1|title=Prime Minister|date=24 June 2017|website=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=25 May 2020}}

| main_organ = {{plainlist|

Executive Council (de jure){{Cite web|url=https://gg.govt.nz/office-governor-general/roles-and-functions-governor-general/constitutional-role/executive-council|title=The Executive Council|website=The Governor-General of New Zealand|access-date=25 May 2020}}
Cabinet (de facto){{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-1|title=What is cabinet?|date=20 June 2012|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|access-date=25 May 2020}}

}}

| ministries = 32 ministries and departments

| responsible = House of Representatives{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/pbrief1/|title=Parliament Brief: Government Accountability to the House|date=21 March 2014|website=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=25 May 2020}}

| budget = {{NZD}}119.3 billion (2018–19){{Cite web|url=https://treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/financial-management-and-advice/revenue-and-expenditure|title=Revenue and expenditure|date=11 December 2019|website=The Treasury|access-date=25 May 2020}}

| address = The Beehive and other locations across Wellington{{Cite web|title=Contact us|url=https://www.govt.nz/about/about-us/contact-us/|date=21 May 2020|website=New Zealand Government|access-date=25 May 2020}}

| url = {{plainlist|

{{URL|www.govt.nz}}
{{URL|beehive.govt.nz}}

}}

The New Zealand Government ({{langx|mi|Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa}}{{cite web|url=https://www.govt.nz/|title=Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa – New Zealand Government|accessdate=30 August 2021}}) is the central government through which political authority is exercised in New Zealand. As in most other parliamentary democracies, the term "Government" refers chiefly to the executive branch, and more specifically to the collective ministry directing the executive.{{cite web|title=How government works|url=https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/government-in-new-zealand/|website=New Zealand Government|access-date=7 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415025335/https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/government-in-new-zealand/|archive-date=15 April 2017}} Based on the principle of responsible government, it operates within the framework that "the {{bracket|King}} reigns, but the government rules, so long as it has the support of the House of Representatives".Sir Kenneth Keith, quoted in the [http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/manual/intro.html Cabinet Manual]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991009163331/http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/manual/intro.html |date=9 October 1999 }} The Cabinet Manual describes the main laws, rules and conventions affecting the conduct and operation of the 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.{{cite web|title=Constitution Act 1986 No 114 (as at 17 May 2005), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/whole.html#dlm94204|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=7 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223071437/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/whole.html#dlm94204|archive-date=23 December 2016}} Several senior ministers (usually 20) constitute a collective decision-making body known as the Cabinet, which is led by the prime minister{{cite book |last1=Dowding |first1=Keith |last2=Dumont |first2=Patrick |title=The Selection of Ministers around the World |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317634454 |pages=27–28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UStHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA27|language=en}} (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). By convention, the governor-general acts on the advice of the prime minister in appointing ministers.

Terminology

File:The Beehive in June 2012.jpg, Wellington, is the seat of government (i.e. headquarters of the executive branch).]]

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).{{cite web|title=Our system of government|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/our-system-of-government/|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308123708/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/our-system-of-government/|archive-date=8 March 2017}} Each branch operates independently of the others in an arrangement described as "separation of powers".{{cite web|title=Glossary of Constitutional Terms|url=http://www.ourconstitution.org.nz/Glossary|publisher=New Zealand Constitutional Advisory Panel|access-date=1 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406042022/http://www.ourconstitution.org.nz/Glossary|archive-date=6 April 2017}}

More commonly, the term is used to refer specifically to the executive branch. 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".{{cite web|title=New Zealand's Central Government {{!}} New Zealand Now|url=https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/history-government/central-government|website=New Zealand Now|publisher=Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422073242/https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/history-government/central-government|archive-date=22 April 2017}}{{cite web|title=So who gets to become the Government?|url=https://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/So_who_gets_to_become_the_government.pdf|publisher=Electoral Commission New Zealand|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502205700/http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/So_who_gets_to_become_the_government.pdf|archive-date=2 May 2017}} The Constitution Act 1986, the principal part of New Zealand's constitution, locates the executive government in the Executive Council, which also includes ministers outside Cabinet.{{cite web|title=Ministerial List|url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/ministerial-list|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en-NZ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517065229/http://dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/ministerial-list|archive-date=17 May 2017}}

The Executive Wing of Parliament Buildings, commonly called the "Beehive" because of the building's shape, houses many government offices and is also where the Cabinet meets.{{cite web|title=The Beehive – Executive Wing|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/buildings-and-grounds/the-beehive-executive-wing/|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=1 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010094029/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/buildings-and-grounds/the-beehive-executive-wing/|archive-date=10 October 2017}} Thus the name Beehive is sometimes used metonymically to refer to the New Zealand Government.{{cite web|title=the definition of beehive|at=See: definition 2 of 2|url=http://www.dictionary.com/browse/beehive|website=Dictionary.com|access-date=1 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406205007/http://www.dictionary.com/browse/beehive|archive-date=6 April 2017}}

The official website of the New Zealand Government uses the web address beehive.govt.nz.{{cite web |title=About this website |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/about-this-site |website=beehive.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=18 August 2020 |language=en-NZ |quote=Beehive.govt.nz is the official website of the New Zealand Government.}}

History

The first constitution act was the New Zealand Constitution Act 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 New Zealand Constitution Act 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.{{Cite book |last=Moon |first=Paul |title=New Zealand Birth Certificates: 50 of New Zealand's Founding Documents |publisher=AUT University Media |year=2010 |isbn=9780958299718 |pages=66}}{{cite book |last1=Moon |first1=Paul |title=Turning Points - events that changed the course of New Zealand history |date=2013 |publisher=New Holland |isbn=978-1-86966-379-7 |page=71 |chapter=The New Zealand Constitution Act, 1852}}

New Zealand was granted colonial self-government in 1853 following the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, which was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Governments were set up at both central and provincial level, with initially six provinces.{{cite web|title=Political and constitutional timeline|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/milestones|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=1 May 2017|date=4 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408214941/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/milestones|archive-date=8 April 2017}} The provinces were abolished by the Abolition of Provinces Act 1876, during the premiership of Harry Atkinson. For the purposes of the law, the provinces formally ceased to exist on 1 January 1877.{{cite web|title=Provinces 1848–77 |url= http://rulers.org/newzprov.html |publisher=rulers.org |access-date=26 April 2013}}

The Sewell Ministry constituted the first responsible government, with control over all domestic matters other than native policy. Formed in 1856, it lasted from 18 April to 20 May. From 7 May onward, Henry Sewell was titled "colonial secretary", and is generally regarded as having been the country's first prime minister.McIntyre, W. David. "[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s8/sewell-henry Sewell, Henry]", from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 30 April 2017. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513093518/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s8/sewell-henry |date=13 May 2015 }}. The first ministry that formed along party lines did not appear until 1891, when John Ballance formed the Liberal Party and the Liberal Government.{{cite web|title=Responsible government|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-the-governor-general/adjusting-to-responsible-government |work=History of the Governor-General |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=1 May 2017|date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518180401/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-the-governor-general/adjusting-to-responsible-government |archive-date= May 18, 2017 }}{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Wilson|first1=John|title=History – Liberal to Labour|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history/page-5|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 April 2017|date=8 February 2005|quote=The watershed election of 1890 put the Liberals, who were to become New Zealand's first 'modern' political party, into power.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427192640/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history/page-5|archive-date=27 April 2017}} The prime minister became the leader and public face of the governing party. The status of the monarch's representative was upgraded from "governor" to "governor-general" in 1917 letters patent.{{cite web|title=Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor-General of New Zealand (SR 1983/225) (as at 22 August 2006)|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1983/0225/latest/whole.html|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=1 May 2017|language=en-NZ}}

=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.{{cite web|title=List of Governments of New Zealand – The Grid – FInd Anything in New Zealand|url=http://thegrid.co.nz/list-of-governments-of-new-zealand/|website=The Grid|access-date=12 May 2018|date=17 February 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512182102/http://thegrid.co.nz/list-of-governments-of-new-zealand/|archive-date=12 May 2018}}

By convention, a distinct government is named after the largest party that leads it.{{cite book|last1=Boston|first1=Jonathan|last2=Holland|first2=Martin|title=The Fourth Labour Government: Politics and Policy in New Zealand|date=1990|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195582130|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6irVAAAAMAAJ|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010703/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6irVAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=7 November 2017}}{{cite book|last1=Garfield|first1=Norton Fausto|title=Fifth National Government of New Zealand|date=2012|publisher=Anim Publishing|isbn=9786138498315|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6SWCtgAACAAJ|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032726/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6SWCtgAACAAJ|archive-date=7 November 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Hickey|first1=Bernard|title=It's the Sixth Labour Government|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/19/54406/its-the-sixth-labour-government|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Newsroom|date=20 October 2017|language=en-AU|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011235/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/19/54406/its-the-sixth-labour-government|archive-date=13 May 2018}}

The role of the king and the governor-general

{{Further|Monarchy of New Zealand|Governor-General of New Zealand|the Crown}}

File:New Zealand Cabinet, 1981.jpg and her New Zealand Cabinet, photographed during the Queen's 1981 tour of the country. The prime minister during that time was Robert Muldoon, on her right.]]

The New Zealand Government is formally styled [His] Majesty's Government in the Seal of New Zealand Act 1977.{{cite web|title=Seal of New Zealand Act 1977|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1977/0001/latest/whole.html?|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en-NZ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817082155/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1977/0001/latest/whole.html|archive-date=17 August 2017}} This is a reference to the monarch, King Charles III, who is the head of state under the Constitution Act 1986. 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.{{cite book|last1=Boyce|first1=Peter John|title=The Queen's Other Realms: The Crown and Its Legacy in Australia, Canada and New Zealand|year=2008|publisher=Federation Press|isbn=9781862877009|page=2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kY-Tk0-quyoC|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010102409/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kY-Tk0-quyoC|archive-date=10 October 2017}} 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.{{cite web|title=Parliament Brief: What is Parliament?|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/pbrief7/|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510074453/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/fact-sheets/pbrief7/|archive-date=10 May 2017}} Nonetheless, the Constitution Act describes the monarch as the "Sovereign".

In many areas, the Crown possesses a body of powers known as the royal prerogative.{{cite journal|last1=Cox|first1=Noel|title=The Royal Prerogative in the Realms|journal=Commonwealth Law Bulletin|volume=33|issue=4|pages=611–638|doi=10.1080/03050710701814839|date=1 December 2007 |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ALRS/2007/7.html|publisher=ALTA Law Research Series |s2cid=143050540|access-date=15 April 2020}}{{cite web|title=Q&A: Royal Prerogative|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4267761.stm|publisher=BBC News |access-date=30 April 2017|date=15 February 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510220129/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4267761.stm|archive-date=10 May 2014}} For example, the Royal Assent (the monarch's approval){{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features-pre-2016/document/00NZPHomeNews031220091/the-royal-assent|title=The Royal Assent|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010094904/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features-pre-2016/document/00NZPHomeNews031220091/the-royal-assent|archive-date=10 October 2017}} is required to enact laws and the royal sign-manual gives authority to letters patent and orders in council.{{cite web|title=On the Constitution of New Zealand: An Introduction to the Foundations of the Current Form of Government|url=https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/introduction|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406172343/https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/introduction|archive-date=6 April 2017}}{{cite web|title=The Queen's constitutional and public ceremonial roles|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/queen-elizabeths-diamond-jubilee/constitutional-roles|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=30 April 2017|date=11 July 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518141107/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/queen-elizabeths-diamond-jubilee/constitutional-roles|archive-date=18 May 2017}} The royal prerogative also includes summoning and dissolving the Parliament in order to call an election,{{cite web|title=The New Zealand Constitution|url=https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00PLLawRP00011/502fa2135dd16543ca15974a028ad70161b80aba|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=30 April 2017|pages=4–5|date=3 October 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306212632/https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00PLLawRP00011/502fa2135dd16543ca15974a028ad70161b80aba|archive-date=6 March 2017}} and extends to foreign affairs: the negotiation and ratification of treaties, alliances, international agreements, the right to declare war and peace, and the deployment and armament of defence forces.{{cite book |last1=Joseph |first1=Philip A. |title=Constitutional and Administrative Law in New Zealand |date=2001 |publisher=Brookers |location=Wellington |page=628 |edition=2nd}}{{cite web |last1=McKeown |first1=Deirdre |title=Parliamentary involvement in declaring war and deploying forces overseas |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/0910/ParliamentaryInvolvement |website=www.aph.gov.au |publisher=Parliament of Australia |access-date=15 April 2020 |location=Canberra |language=en-AU |date=22 March 2010 |quote=The formal right to declare war was clearly part of the Royal Prerogative inherited from Great Britain in 1840 and it remains an acknowledged part of New Zealand law.}}

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.{{cite web|title=The Role of the Governor-General|date=27 February 2017 |url=http://www.gg.govt.nz/role|publisher=The Governor-General of New Zealand Te Kawana Tianara o Aotearoa|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419033256/https://gg.govt.nz/role|archive-date=19 April 2017}} The person who fills this role is selected on the advice of the prime minister. "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".{{cite web|title=Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor-General of New Zealand|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1983/0225/latest/whole.html|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=30 April 2017}}

As per the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy, the king and his representative rarely intervene directly in political affairs. 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. For example, the governor-general's power to withhold the Royal Assent to bills of parliament has been rendered ineffective by the convention.

Government in Parliament

File:20200508 New Zealand government structure.svg

Under the conventions of the Westminster system, the Government is accountable to the House of Representatives, the democratically elected component of Parliament, rather than to the sovereign. This is called responsible government. For example, ministers are required to be members of the House, and they make statements and take questions from other members in the House.{{cite web |title=Question time in the House |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features-pre-2016/document/00NZPHomeNews201210161/question-time-in-the-house |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=2 June 2018 |date=16 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228100637/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features-pre-2016/document/00NZPHomeNews201210161/question-time-in-the-house |archive-date=28 February 2018}} The Government is required by convention and for practical reasons to maintain the support, or confidence, of the House of Representatives. It also requires the support of the House for the maintenance of supply (by voting through the government's budgets) and in order to pass primary legislation.{{cite book |last1=Galligan |first1=Brian |last2=Brenton |first2=Scott |title=Constitutional Conventions in Westminster Systems |date=2015 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107100244 |pages=209 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=paQyCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA209|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bracewell-Worrall |first1=Anna |title=What is confidence and supply… and how does it differ from a coalition? |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/what-is-confidence-and-supply-and-how-does-it-differ-from-a-coalition.html |access-date=2 June 2018 |work=Newshub |date=4 October 2017 |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421235519/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/what-is-confidence-and-supply-and-how-does-it-differ-from-a-coalition.html |archive-date=21 April 2018}} By convention, if a government loses the confidence of the House then it must either resign or call for a general election.{{cite book |last1=Arwine |first1=A. |last2=Mayer |first2=L. |title=The Changing Basis of Political Conflict in Advanced Western Democracies: The Politics of Identity in the United States, the Netherlands, and Belgium |date=2013 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9781137306654 |page=119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RCPVes3RmhUC&pg=PT119 |language=en}} Not since {{NZ election link year|1928}} has a government been defeated on a confidence vote and therefore been obliged to resign.{{cite web |title=Parties and Government |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/parliamentary-practice-in-new-zealand/chapter-8-parties-and-government/ |website=www.parliament.nz |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=10 September 2019 |language=en}}

The Constitution Act 1986 stipulates that general elections must be held at least every three years,{{Cite web |url=http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/DLM94241.html?search=ta_act_C_ac%40ainf%40anif_an%40bn%40rn_25_a&p=5 |title="Term of Parliament," Section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986 |access-date=6 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018160909/http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/DLM94241.html?search=ta_act_C_ac%40ainf%40anif_an%40bn%40rn_25_a&p=5 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} making this the maximum period of time that a government can serve without seeking renewal of its mandate.{{cite journal |last1=Mulgan |first1=R. G. |title=The Concept of Mandate in New Zealand Politics |journal=Political Science |date=December 1978 |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=88–96 |doi=10.1177/003231877803000203}} 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".

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.{{cite web|title=Executive Council|date=31 January 2017 |url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/executive|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en-NZ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514144936/http://dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/executive|archive-date=14 May 2017}} 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.{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Eichbaum|first1=Chris|title=Cabinet government – Ministers and prime ministers in cabinet|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-6|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 April 2017|language=en|date=20 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402212717/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-6|archive-date=2 April 2017}}

=Executive Council=

File:Appointment of Executive Council members - 1 Feb 2023.jpg appoints new ministers during a public meeting of the Executive Council in Government House, Wellington, 1 February 2023.]]

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.{{cite web |title=The Executive Council role in the regulations process |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/executive-council-role-regulations-process |website=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=17 February 2023 |date=18 July 2017 |language=en-NZ}}

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),{{cite web|title=The Honourable|url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/hon|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en-NZ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408180932/http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/hon|archive-date=8 April 2017}} except for the prime minister, who is entitled to be styled "The Right Honourable" for life.{{cite web|title=The Right Honourable|url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/rthon|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=30 April 2017|language=en-NZ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408180916/http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/rthon|archive-date=8 April 2017}} Although not a member of the Executive Council, the governor-general usually presides at Council meetings.{{cite web|title=Executive Council – Cabinet Manual|url=https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/1.18|date=2008|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407040923/https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/1.18|archive-date=7 April 2017}}

=Cabinet=

Cabinet ({{langx|mi|Te Rūnanga}}) is the senior decision-making body of the Government.{{cite book|last1=McLeay|first1=Elizabeth|author-link=Elizabeth McLeay|title=The Cabinet and Political Power in New Zealand| volume=5|date=1995|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195583120|page=11}}{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Eichbaum|first1=Chris|title=Cabinet government - What is cabinet?|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-1|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 April 2017|language=en|date=20 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220070040/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-1|archive-date=20 December 2016}} Constitutional law, such as the Constitution Act 1986, does not recognise the Cabinet as a legal entity; it exists solely by constitutional convention.{{cite web|title=On the Constitution of New Zealand: An Introduction to the Foundations of the Current Form of Government |work=Cabinet Manual|url=https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/introduction|date=2008|access-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406172343/https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/introduction|archive-date=6 April 2017}}{{cite book |last1=Wanna |first1=John |title=New Zealand's Westminster trajectory: Archetypal transplant to maverick outlier |date=2005 |publisher=UNSW Press |location=Sydney, NSW |isbn=0868408484 |pages=161–165}} 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.

The prime minister is responsible for chairing meetings of Cabinet.{{cite encyclopedia|last1=McLean|first1=Gavin|title=Premiers and prime ministers|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/premiers-and-prime-ministers|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=30 April 2017|date=13 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517231343/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/premiers-and-prime-ministers|archive-date=17 May 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/2.2|website=cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz|title=Cainet Manual 2008|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|year=2008|access-date=21 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602101837/http://www.cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/2.2|archive-date=2 June 2008}} 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 {{see below|{{section link||Departments}}}}.{{cite web |title=Guide to the New Zealand Parliament |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/danz/dv/0329_08/0329_08en.pdf |access-date=2 June 2018}} 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 collectively responsible for the actions taken by Cabinet—typically all Cabinet ministers must publicly support the decisions of Cabinet.{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Palmer |first1=Matthew |title=Collective cabinet responsibility |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/35882/collective-cabinet-responsibility |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=4 December 2020 |language=en-NZ |date=20 June 2012}} However, since the introduction of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system in 1993,{{cite web |title=Electoral Act 1993 No 87 (as at 01 April 2020), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/whole.html |publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office |access-date=15 April 2020}} processes were developed to allow different parties within a coalition cabinet to "agree to disagree" on some issues.{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Eichbaum |first1=Chris |title=Cabinet government – Collective responsibility |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/cabinet-government/page-4 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=17 September 2018 |date=20 June 2012}}

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.{{cite web|title=Speech from the Throne – Cabinet Manual|url=https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/7.3|website=cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz|date=2008|access-date=1 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407041930/https://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/7.3|archive-date=7 April 2017}}

=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. Non-Cabinet ministers may also be from the major governing party, as has been the case in recent governments.{{cite news |title=The full list of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300147743/the-full-list-of-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-new-cabinet |access-date=4 December 2020 |work=Stuff |date=2 November 2020 |language=en}} Ministers outside the Cabinet have the same overall duties and responsibilities as their senior colleagues inside Cabinet.

Current composition

File:Appointment of the New Zealand government ministry 2023.jpg, with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, 27 November 2023]]

The current ministry, since November 2023, is the National Party government led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, forming a coalition with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/live-updates-christopher-luxon-to-be-sworn-in-as-prime-minister-winston-peters-david-seymour-to-become-ministers.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126222043/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/live-updates-christopher-luxon-to-be-sworn-in-as-prime-minister-winston-peters-david-seymour-to-become-ministers.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 November 2023|title=Live updates: Christopher Luxon to be sworn in as Prime Minister, Winston Peters, David Seymour to become ministers|work=Newshub|date=27 November 2023}}

= List of ministers =

Notes

Departments and other public sector organisations

New Zealand's public service includes 32 core government institutions—most have ministry or department in their name, e.g. Ministry for Culture and Heritage, or Department of Internal Affairs—which are listed in the first schedule to the State Sector Act 1988.{{cite web|title=State Sector Act 1988 |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1988/0020/latest/DLM129110.html |publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Shaw |first1=Richard |title=Public service – What is the public service? |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/public-service/page-1 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=9 November 2018 |date=20 June 2012}} Staffed by around 45,000 public servants,{{cite news|title=Civil servant numbers static|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/63817264/civil-servant-numbers-static|date=4 December 2014|access-date=1 May 2017|work=Stuff.co.nz}} they provide the government of the day with advice and deliver services to the public. Since the 1980s, the public service has been marketised.{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Shaw |first1=Richard |title=Public service – Revolution, 1980s and 1990s |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/public-service/page-4 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=9 November 2018 |date=20 June 2012}} Each department is headed by a chief executive who answers to a government minister for that department's performance. In turn, a minister bears the ultimate responsibility for the actions of their department, being answerable to the House of Representatives. This principle is called individual ministerial responsibility.

The wider state sector also includes about 2,800 Crown entities (including some 2,600 school boards of trustees), 17 state-owned enterprises, three officers of Parliament, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.{{cite web |title=Government A-Z |website=govt.nz |url=https://www.govt.nz/organisations/ |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=9 November 2018}}

Relationship with local government

There are two main tiers of elected local authorities—regional councils and territorial authorities—in some places merged into unitary authorities. While the central government deals with issues relevant to New Zealand and its people as a nation, local government exists "to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities", and "to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses."{{cite web|title=Local Government Act 2002|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/whole.html?search=sw_096be8ed8132e50b_50%2c000_25_se&p=1#DLM170873|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=9 November 2018}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.beehive.govt.nz}}
[https://www.govt.nz/ Govt.nz] – public sector information website

Category:Politics of New Zealand

New Zealand