List of New Zealand governments facts for kids

The Coat of Arms is a symbol of the New Zealand Government.

The New Zealand Government is the group that makes decisions and runs the country. This article lists the different periods when a political party or group of parties was in charge. It also lists the groups of ministers, called "ministries," led by a Prime Minister.

New Zealand's government has changed over time:

Before 1856: The country was mainly run by the Governor.
1856 to 1890: This was the time of "responsible government," meaning the ministers in charge were accountable to the elected Parliament.
From 1891 onwards: This period began when political parties started to form and lead governments.

How Governments are Named

Governments in New Zealand are usually named after the largest political party that leads them. For example, the "Labour Government" means the Labour Party was the main party in charge. Sometimes, two or more parties work together in a "coalition government."

The word 'ministry' refers to all the ministers who lead the government. It means the time a government is led by one Prime Minister. A political party might lead the country for a long time, even if different Prime Ministers are in charge during that period.

Since 1996, New Zealand has used a voting system called MMP. This often means that governments are formed by two or more political parties working together. For example, in 2023, the National Party won the most seats and formed a coalition government with two smaller parties. This government is called the "sixth National Government."

Early Governments (1854–1856)

New Zealand started to govern itself after the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was passed. The first elections for the New Zealand House of Representatives were held in 1853. The first group of elected members, led by James FitzGerald, took office in 1854. However, the country was still mostly run by the Governor, George Grey, and other appointed officials.

Cabinet Government (1856–1890)

"Responsible government" officially began in 1856. This meant that the group of ministers (the Cabinet) was responsible to the elected members of Parliament. Here are some of the early ministries:

Sewell Ministry, 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
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 Ministry, 1876: 1 September 1876 to 13 September 1876
Atkinson Ministry, 1876–77: 13 September 1876 to 13 October 1877
Grey Ministry, 1877–79: 13 October 1877 to 8 October 1879
Hall Ministry, 1879–82: 8 October 1879 to 21 April 1882
Whitaker Ministry, 1882–83: 21 April 1882 to 25 September 1883
Atkinson Ministry, 1883–84: 25 September 1883 to 16 August 1884
Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884: 16 August 1884 to 28 August 1884
Atkinson Ministry, 1884: 28 August 1884 to 3 September 1884
Stout-Vogel Ministry, 1884–87: 3 September 1884 to 8 October 1887
Atkinson Ministry, 1887–91: 8 October 1887 to 24 January 1891

Liberal Government (1891–1912)

The Liberal Party was the first major political party in New Zealand.

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 (1912–1928)

The Reform Party took over from the Liberals.

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 (1928–1931)

The United Party formed the government after the Reform Party.

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 (1931–1935)

The United and Reform parties formed a coalition government during the Great Depression.

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

First Labour Government (1935–1949)

The Labour Party came to power in 1935.

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 (This special group made decisions about World War II.)

First National Government (1949–1957)

The National Party formed the government in 1949.

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 (1957–1960)

Labour returned to power for a short period.

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

Second National Government (1960–1972)

National was in charge for over a decade.

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 (1972–1975)

Labour formed the government again in the early 1970s.

Kirk Ministry: 1972–1974: 8 December 1972 to 10 September 1974
Rowling Ministry, 1974–1975: 6 September 1974 to 12 December 1975

Third National Government (1975–1984)

National returned to power and led the country for nine years.

Muldoon Ministry, 1975–1984: 12 December 1975 to 26 July 1984

Fourth Labour Government (1984–1990)

Labour was in government through the late 1980s.

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

Fourth National Government (1990–1999)

National led the country through the 1990s.

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 (1999–2008)

Labour was in power for nine years at the start of the new century.

Clark Ministry, 1999–2008: from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008.

Fifth National Government (2008–2017)

National led the government for another nine years.

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 (2017–2023)

Labour formed the government again in 2017.

Ardern Ministry, 2017–2023: 26 October 2017 to 25 January 2023
Hipkins Ministry, 2023: 25 January 2023 to 27 November 2023

Sixth National Government (2023–present)

National formed the government in late 2023.

Luxon Ministry, 2023–present: 27 November 2023 to present

Timeline of Governments

Note: The colours on the timeline show which party was the largest in each government.

More to Explore

Elections in New Zealand
List of prime ministers of New Zealand
List of parliaments of New Zealand
Politics of New Zealand

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List of New Zealand governments Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.