Meeting of the New Zealand Parliament
The 52nd New Zealand Parliament was a meeting of the legislature in New Zealand , which opened on 7 November 2017 following the 2017 general election and dissolved on 6 September 2020. The New Zealand Parliament comprises the Sovereign (represented by the governor-general ) and the House of Representatives , which consists of 120 members.[ 2]
The 52nd Parliament was elected using a mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) voting system. Members of Parliament (MPs) represent 71 geographical electorates: 16 in the South Island , 48 in the North Island and 7 Māori electorates . The remaining members were elected from party lists using the Sainte-Laguë method to achieve proportionality. The number of geographical electorates was increased by one at the 2014 election , to account for the North Island 's higher population growth.[ 3]
Background
2017 general election
The 2017 general election was held on Saturday, 23 September 2017. Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives, with 71 electorate members and 49 list members. Official results indicated that the National Party had won a plurality, winning 56 seats; down from 60 in 2014. The Labour Party won 46 seats, up from 32 at the last election. Their partner, the Green Party won 8 seats, down from 14. New Zealand First won 9 seats, down from 11. ACT won the electorate of Epsom , and enough party votes to avoid an overhang, but failed to win any more party votes to entitle it to more seats.[ 4]
Since neither the National–ACT or Labour–Green blocs managed to reach the necessary majority to form a government, New Zealand First was left in the position of kingmaker . Negotiations between New Zealand First and each of National and Labour continued over the next four weeks. On 19 October, Winston Peters announced he was forming a coalition agreement with Labour, with the Greens in a confidence-and-supply agreement. The Greens' support, plus the coalition, resulting in 63 seats to National's 56 – enough to ensure that Ardern maintained the confidence of the House.[ 5] [ 6] Dame Patsy Reddy .[ 7]
Parliamentary term
Jacinda Ardern , as Leader of the Labour Party , serves as Prime Minister . Winston Peters , as Leader of New Zealand First , serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs . Prime Minister Ardern appointed Grant Robertson as Minister of Finance , Ron Mark as Minister of Defence , Kelvin Davis as Minister of Corrections , David Parker as Attorney General , Andrew Little as Minister of Justice , Dr David Clark as Minister of Health , and Chris Hipkins as Minister of Education and Leader of the House .
For a period of six weeks beginning 21 June 2018, Winston Peters served as Acting Prime Minister of New Zealand , while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took maternity leave. Ardern was only the second head of government to give birth while in office, after Benazir Bhutto , who gave birth while serving as Prime Minister of Pakistan .
Major events
12 October 2017 — The writ for election is returned; officially declaring all elected members of the 52nd Parliament.[ 8]
19 October 2017 — A coalition government between Labour and NZ First is confirmed, with C&S from the Green Party .[ 5] [ 6]
25 October 2017 — Chris Hipkins is confirmed Leader of the House .[ 9]
26 October 2017 — Jacinda Ardern is sworn in as Prime Minister of New Zealand .[ 10]
7 November 2017 — The Governor-General issued the Commission of Opening of Parliament. The House elected Trevor Mallard as Speaker .[ 11]
8 November 2017 — State Opening of Parliament .[ 11]
13 February 2018 — Bill English announced he would resign as Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition on 27 February, before retiring from Parliament on 1 March, thus resigning as Father of the House .[ 12]
27 February 2018 — Simon Bridges is elected as National Party leader , succeeding Bill English as Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition
27 February 2018 — Fletcher Tabuteau replaces Ron Mark as Deputy Leader of New Zealand First
22 March 2018 — Jonathan Coleman , MP for Northcote , resigns from Parliament, triggering a by-election in Northcote .[ 13]
8 April 2018 — Marama Davidson is elected the female co-leader of the Green Party .
17 May 2018 — The 2018 budget is presented to Parliament.[ 14]
21 June 2018 — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern takes maternity leave following giving birth to a baby girl. Winston Peters becomes acting Prime Minister.
2 August 2018 — Jacinda Ardern returns as Prime Minister after six weeks of maternity leave.
7 September 2018 — Labour MP Clare Curran resigns from all of her ministerial portfolios.[ 15]
20 September 2018 — Labour MP Meka Whaitiri is removed as a minister following an investigation of an alleged assault in her office.[ 16]
30 May 2019 — The 2019 budget , also named the Wellbeing Budget , is presented to Parliament.
14 May 2020 — The 2020 budget , also named Rebuilding Together is presented to Parliament.
22 May 2020 — Todd Muller is elected as National Party leader , defeating Simon Bridges and succeeding him as Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition . Nikki Kaye defeats Paula Bennett for the role of deputy leader.
14 July 2020 — Todd Muller resigns and Judith Collins is elected as leader of the National Party. Gerry Brownlee becomes deputy leader of the National Party.
21 July 2020 — Andrew Falloon , MP for Rangitata , resigns from Parliament following revelations he sent unsolicited sexually explicit text messages to young women.[ 17]
22 July 2020 — Iain Lees-Galloway , MP for Palmerston North , is removed as a minister following revelations he had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.[ 18]
6 August 2020 – The last intended sitting is held, concluding with the adjournment debate.[ 19]
12 August 2020 – The dissolution of Parliament is delayed after new community-spread cases of COVID-19 were reported in Auckland the previous day.[ 20]
18 August 2020 – The House resumes limited sittings following the delayed dissolution.[ 21]
2 September 2020 – The last sitting day of the Parliament.[ 22]
6 September 2020 – The Parliament is dissolved.[ 23]
Major legislation
On 31 October 2017, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that for their first bill, the government would amend the Overseas Investment Act 2005 to categorise existing residential properties as "sensitive", restricting its sale to citizens and permanent residents only.[ 24] Overseas Investment Amendment Act 2018 was introduced on 14 December 2017 and received royal assent on 22 August 2018.[ 25]
On 8 November 2017, the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill was introduced and received royal assent on 4 December 2017. It extends paid parental leave to 22 weeks starting from 1 July 2018 and 26 weeks from 1 July 2020.[ 26] [ 27]
On 4 December 2017, royal assent was given to the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill , which was introduced on 15 October 2015 during the previous Parliament. It ensures every rental house in the country meets standards of heating and insulation.[ 28]
On 22 December 2017, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill was introduced, receiving royal assent on 17 December 2018. The act amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 to allow terminally ill patients to use cannabis, provide a regulatory body to set standards for cannabis products, and declassify cannabidiol as a controlled substance.[ 29]
On 11 April 2019, royal assent was given to the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 .[ 30] Arms Act 1983 to ban semi-automatic firearms, magazines, and parts that can be used to assemble prohibited firearms.[ 31]
On 8 May 2019, the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill was introduced, receiving royal assent on 13 November 2019. It provides a framework for developing climate change policies in support of the Paris Agreement .[ 32] [ 33]
On 23 March 2020, the Abortion Legislation Act received royal assent, decriminalising abortion. Under the act, women can seek an abortion without restrictions within the first 20 weeks of their pregnancy.[ 34] [ 35]
On 12 May 2020, the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill was introduced and speedily passed, receiving royal assent the day after. The bill establishes standalone legislation that provides a legal framework for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand for a period of up to 2 years.[ 36] [ 37]
Dissolution
Under section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986 , Parliament must dissolve a maximum of "3 years from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer."[ 38] 2017 election was issued on 23 August 2017 and returned on 12 October 2017, meaning that the 52nd Parliament would have to dissolve on or before 12 October 2020.[ 39]
This Parliament had its last scheduled sitting on 6 August 2020[ 19] [ 40] COVID-19 outside of a quarantine facility were reported in Auckland leading to an increase in the region's alert level ,[ 20] [ 41] [ 1] [ 21] [ 42] [ 21] [ 42] [ 22] [ 23]
Officeholders
Speaker
Other parliamentary officers
The following is a list of other parliamentary officers who are non-political:
Party leaders
Floor leaders
Whips
Senior Government Whip:
Senior Opposition Whip:
New Zealand First Whip: Clayton Mitchell
Green Party Musterer:
Shadow Cabinets
Members
The table below show the members of the 52nd Parliament based on the official results of the 2017 general election. Ministerial roles were officially announced on 25 October 2017.
Overview
This table shows the number of MPs in each party:
Notes
^Coa New Zealand First announced a coalition agreement with the Labour Party on 19 October 2017.^CS Green Party entered into confidence-and-supply agreement with the Labour Party on the same day as the coalition was announced.The Working Government majority is calculated as all Government MPs less all other parties.
Members
New Zealand First (9)
Rank
Name
Electorate (list if blank)
Term in office
Portfolios & Responsibilities
Ministers in Cabinet
1
Winston Peters 1979–1981
2
Ron Mark 1996–2008
Minister of Defence Minister for Veterans
NZ First spokesperson for:
Housing
Local Government
RMA
3
Tracey Martin 2011–
8
Shane Jones 2005–2014
Minister of Forestry Minister for Infrastructure Minister for Regional Economic Development
Associate Minister of Finance
Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises
Associate Minister of Transport
NZ First spokesperson for:
Building and Construction
Economic Development
Fisheries
Maori Affairs
Pacific Island Affairs
Treaty Settlements/ Treaty of Waitangi
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries
4
Fletcher Tabuteau 2014–
Deputy Leader of New Zealand First Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regional Economic Development
Under-Secretary to the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control
Under-Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee
NZ First spokesperson for:
Commerce
Energy
Finance (associate spokesperson)
Insurance
Revenue
Superannuation
Tourism
Members of Parliament
5
Darroch Ball 2014–
Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee
NZ First spokesperson for:
Constitutional and Electoral Matters
Corrections
Crown Legal Services
Justice Courts
Police
Serious Fraud
Social Housing
Social Services
Youth Affairs
6
Clayton Mitchell 2014–
Party Whip
NZ First spokesperson for:
Climate Changes
Consumer Affairs
Immigration
Labour and Industrial Relations
Outdoor Recreation
Parliamentary and Legislative Services
Research and Development/ Science and Innovation
Small Business
Sport and Recreation
Statistics
7
Mark Patterson 2017–
NZ First spokesperson for:
Agriculture and Primary Industry
Bio-Security
Christchurch EQ Recovery
Crown Minerals
Customs
Food Safety
Intellectual Property
Land Information
9
Jenny Marcroft 2017–
NZ First spokesperson for:
ACC
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Broadcasting
Communication IT
Conservation
Environment
Health
Human Rights
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand (8)
Rank
Name
Electorate (list if blank)
Term in office
Portfolios & Responsibilities
Ministers outside Cabinet
1
James Shaw 2014–
3
Julie Anne Genter 2011–
Minister for Women Associate Minister of Health
Associate Minister of Transport
Green spokesperson for
Auckland Issues
Health
Transport
Urban Development
Women
4
Eugenie Sage 2011–
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries
6
Jan Logie 2011–
Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence Issues)
Green spokesperson for
ACC
Community and Voluntary Sector
Rainbow Issues
Senior Citizens
Social Development
State Services
Superannuation
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Workplace Relations and Safety
Members of Parliament
2
Marama Davidson 2015–
Female Co-leader of the Green Party Deputy Chair of the Māori Affairs Committee
Green spokesperson for
Children
Economic Development (Regional Development, Employment)
Ethnic Communities
Housing
Māori Development
Pacific Peoples
Rural Communities
Sports and Recreation
Water
5
Gareth Hughes 2010–
Chair of the Social Services and Community Committee
Green spokesperson for
Animal Welfare
Biosecurity
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Energy and Resources
Food Safety
ICT
Primary Industries
Technology, Research and Development and Science
Tourism
Wellington Issues
7
Chlöe Swarbrick 2017–
Musterer
Green spokesperson for
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Broadcasting
Drug Law Reform
Education
Local Government
Mental Health
Open and Accessible Government
Small Business
Tertiary Education
Youth
8
Golriz Ghahraman 2017–
Green spokesperson for
Corrections
Courts
Customs
Defence, Security and Intelligence
Disability
Global Affairs
Human Rights
Immigration
Justice (including Electoral Issues)
Overseas Development Aid
Police
Trade
ACT New Zealand (1)
Rank
Name
Electorate (list if blank)
Term in office
Portfolios & Responsibilities
1
David Seymour Epsom 2014–
Independent (1)
Name
Electorate (list if blank)
Term in office
Portfolios & Responsibilities
Jami-Lee Ross Botany 2011–
Changes
The following changes in Members of Parliament occurred during the term of the 52nd Parliament:
^ The resignation of Andrew Falloon took place less than six months before the next general election and therefore a by-election to fill the vacancy was not required.[ 53]
Seating plan
The chamber is in a horseshoe-shape.[ 54]
Start of term
End of term
Committees
The 52nd Parliament has 12 select committees and 7 specialist committees.[ 55]
Electorates
New Zealand electorates used during the term of the 52nd Parliament, showing 2017 election results This section shows New Zealand electorates as they were represented at the end of the 52nd Parliament.
General electorates
See also
References
^ a b Tibshraeny, Jenée (17 August 2020). "Election deferred by four weeks to October 17; Treasury's pre-election economic update pushed out" . Interest.co.nz . Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020 . ^ "Our system of government" . Electoral Commission (New Zealand) . Archived from the original on 29 February 2000. Retrieved 24 September 2017 .^ "Reviewing electorate numbers and boundaries" . Elections New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012 .^ a b "2017 General Election – Official Result" . New Zealand Electoral Commission . Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018 .^ a b Chapman, Grant (19 October 2017). "Full video: NZ First leader Winston Peters announces next Government" . Newshub the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017 . ^ a b Hurley, Emma (19 October 2017). "An 'historic moment' for the Green Party – James Shaw" . Newshub the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017 . ^ Hurley, Emma (26 October 2017). "As it happened: Jacinda Ardern sworn in as Prime Minister" . Newshub the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2020 . ^ Electoral Commission (12 October 2017). "2017 General Election Writ Returned" . Scoop Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017 . ^ "New government ministers revealed" . Radio New Zealand Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017 .^ Hurley, Emma (26 October 2017). "As it happened: Jacinda Ardern sworn in as Prime Minister" . Newshub the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017 . ^ a b "Public event – Opening of the 52nd Parliament" . New Zealand Parliament Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017 .^ "Teary and emotional Bill English calls its quits – now what" . Stuff . Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2017 .^ "National MP Jonathan Coleman resigns from politics" . Newshub the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018 .^ "Grant Robertson's Budget 2018: At a glance – what you need to know" . The New Zealand Herald Archived from the original on 3 June 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018 .^ "Clare Curran resigns as minister, citing 'intolerable' pressure" . Stuff . 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018 .^ Hurley, Emma (20 September 2018). "Meka Whaitiri removed as Minister" . Newshub the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018 . ^ a b c "New sex-text claims: National MP Andrew Falloon quits politics immediately; Judith Collins says she 'no longer trust his story' . The New Zealand Herald ISSN 1170-0777 . Retrieved 20 July 2020 .^ Cheng, Derek (22 July 2020). "PM Jacinda Ardern sacks Iain Lees-Galloway over inappropriate relationship with staffer" . The New Zealand Herald ISSN 1170-0777 . Retrieved 22 July 2020 . ^ a b Cooke, Henry (6 August 2020). "The last day of the coalition: Parliament wraps up with brutal jokes and moments of gratitude" . Stuff . Retrieved 6 August 2020 . ^ a b "Dissolution of Parliament delayed following latest Covid-19 outbreak, 1 NEWS understands" . 1 News . TVNZ. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020 .^ a b c Maoate-Cox, Daniela; Smith, Phil (18 August 2020). "Parliament's reprise plan" . RNZ . Retrieved 6 September 2020 . ^ a b Cooke, Henry. "Election 2020: Zombie Parliament stumbles into a flat finish with lacklustre final day" . Stuff. Retrieved 6 September 2020 . ^ a b "Weather disrupts final act at Parliament" . Radio NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ Hickey, Bernard; Sachdeva, Sam (31 October 2017). "Labour's first act is to ban foreign buyers" . Newsroom.co.nz . Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017 . ^ "Overseas Investment Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ "Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ Cheng, Derek (30 November 2017). "Bill extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks passes final reading in Parliament" . The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 6 September 2020 . ^ "Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2) - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ "Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . www.parliament.nz . Retrieved 16 August 2020 .^ "Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 No 12, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation" . www.legislation.govt.nz . Retrieved 16 August 2020 .^ "Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ Young, Audrey (7 November 2019). "Zero Carbon Bill passes with almost unanimous support in Parliament" . The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 6 September 2019 . ^ "Abortion Legislation Act 2020 No 6, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation" . www.legislation.govt.nz . Retrieved 16 August 2020 .^ "Abortion Legislation Bill passes third and final reading in Parliament" . RNZ . Retrieved 16 August 2020 .^ "COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 6 September 2020 .^ Sadler, Rachel (13 May 2020). "COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill passes in Parliament" . Newshub the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020 . ^ "Constitution Act 1986 No 114 (as at 17 May 2005), Public Act 17 Term of Parliament – New Zealand Legislation" . New Zealand Legislation . New Zealand Government. 1 July 1994. Retrieved 15 September 2020 .^ "2017 General Election timetable" . Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017 .^ Young, Audrey (28 January 2020). "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reveals September 19 election date" . The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 6 August 2020 . ^ "Coronavirus: Parliament dissolution delayed, but election still set for September 19" . Stuff . 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020 .^ a b Maoate-Cox, Daniela (25 August 2020). "MPs to focus on Government accountability over legislation" . Radio NZ . Retrieved 6 September 2020 . ^ a b "Who we are " . Parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019 .^ "Medieval role still relevant today at Parliament " . Parliament.nz . Retrieved 16 June 2019 .^ New Zealand Parliament. "Rt Hon Bill English" . parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018 . ^ New Zealand Parliament. "Maureen Pugh" . parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018 . ^ New Zealand Parliament. "Tuesday, 20 March 2018 – Volume 728 (Hansard) " . parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018 . ^ New Zealand Parliament. "Thursday, 29 March 2018 – Volume 728 (Hansard) " . parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018 . ^ Henry Cooke (19 October 2018). "Jami-Lee Ross not quitting Parliament" . stuff.co.nz . Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2020 . ^ Cheng, Derek (29 January 2019). "Meet Parliament's new MP: Agnes Loheni, National Party list MP" . The New Zealand Herald Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019 . ^ Jason Walls (14 April 2019). "National MP Nuk Korako says he will retire from politics in a month to make way for a new candidate" . The New Zealand Herald Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019 . ^ "Garcia, Paulo - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019 .^ "What is a by-election? | Elections" . elections.nz . Retrieved 20 July 2020 .^ "House seating plan - New Zealand Parliament" . Parliament.nz . Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019 .^ "List of select committees" . New Zealand Parliament. 20 June 2023.
Leadership
Political parties
Ministers
Cabinet
Non-
Former
Labour Party New Zealand Green Party
Parliamentary
Timeline Policies and spending
Other offices
Components Parliamentary
Legislative Council House of
Members
Legislative Council House of
Procedure Elections Locations Miscellaneous
.JPG)
