Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand) facts for kids

The Leader of the Opposition is a very important politician in New Zealand. This person leads all the MPs who are not part of the government. They work in the New Zealand Parliament. In the main meeting room, called the debating chamber, the Leader of the Opposition sits right across from the Prime Minister. Currently, the Leader of the Opposition is Judith Collins from the National Party. She has held this role since July 14, 2020.

What Does the Leader of the Opposition Do?

The Leader of the Opposition usually leads the biggest political party that is not in charge of the government.

Important Responsibilities

Even though the Leader of the Opposition does not have a huge official job, they play a key part in national matters. For example, they are often involved in talks about national security. These are important issues that should be handled without political arguments. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, which protects the country, must talk to the Leader of the Opposition about certain things. They also talk to the Prime Minister.

Salary and Support

The Leader of the Opposition also gets a higher salary than other members of the Opposition. They are paid the same amount as a Cabinet Minister. A Cabinet Minister is a senior government official. This higher pay helps them do their important job.

Images for kids

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  The leader of the Opposition sits near the front to the left of the speaker's chair (annotated)