The Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee was a special committee of the New Zealand Parliament which conducted a review of the Fifth Labour Government 's Emissions Trading Scheme between December 2008 and late August 2009.
122-891: Immediately after the New Zealand general election, 2008 , the new National-led government announced that, in accordance with its coalition agreement with the ACT Party , it would delay implementation of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme ("NZ ETS") as established by the Labour Government in the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading) Amendment Act 2008 and set up the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee to review
244-591: A political colour traditionally affiliated with socialism and the labour movement. At the turn of the 20th century, the radical side of New Zealand working class politics was represented by the Socialist Party , founded in 1901. The more moderate leftists generally supported the Liberal Party . In 1905 a group of working-class politicians who were dissatisfied with the Liberal approach established
366-477: A $ 1.5 billion broadband plan and a new prison in its first term. On 9 October, National released its policy, promising people on the average wage or higher around $ 47 a week extra in the hand, funded through a combination of cutting contributions to KiwiSaver, eliminating a tax credit for science and development, and changing Working For Families entitlements. On calling the 2008 election, Prime Minister Helen Clark declared that it would be "about trust", labelling
488-506: A cloud; after his party being cleared of charges of serious fraud, National restated its position, saying that the result of the case has not altered it. Based on polls commissioned by the Māori news show Marae , the Māori Party appeared likely to win most of the Māori electorates and stood a chance of holding the balance of power. The party's MP for Te Tai Tokerau , Hone Harawira , stated at
610-740: A fourth consecutive term, after the National Party entered into support agreements with the ACT, United Future and Māori parties, resulting in a National minority government. New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party , also known simply as Labour ( Māori : Reipa ), is a centrist political party in New Zealand . The party's platform programme describes its founding principle as democratic socialism , while observers describe Labour as social democratic in theory and pragmatic in practice. The party participates in
732-541: A key feature of Labour's 2017 election campaign. Notable policies, programmes and legislations during the 2020–2023 term included the Clean Car rebate programme , making the Māori New Year Matariki a public holiday, banning conversion therapy , replacing the district health boards with a national health service called Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), passing smokefree legislation banning
854-535: A majority of 2,154 (6.77%). National reversed all of these majorities in 2008 and captured all three seats. Part of National's core vote comes from provincial centres. In 1990, when Labour lost power, it lost every seat between the southern fringe of the Auckland urban area and Porirua except Napier and Palmerston North ; in 2005, National again won several provincial seats off Labour: National also won Tauranga off New Zealand First leader Winston Peters in 2005 and
976-465: A member for the ACT Party. New Zealand elections traditionally occur after September in the third year following the last election, and snap elections occur rarely; the only three elections out of sync in the period of 1948 to 2008 took place in 1951 , 1984 and 2002 —and the last two came only a few months early. Convention in New Zealand expects Parliaments to run for a full three years unless
1098-400: A number of new policies. His foreign-policy stances included strong criticism of nuclear-weapons testing and of South Africa 's apartheid system. However, Kirk suffered from poor health, worsened by his refusal to slow the pace of his work. In 1974 Kirk was taken ill and died . Bill Rowling replaced him, but did not have the same electoral appeal – in the 1975 election , Labour lost to
1220-470: A plan worth $ 150 billion whereby all retail deposits would be unconditionally covered. The plan would be voluntary to join; within two days, reports appeared stating that all of New Zealand's major trading banks had signed up. Also signed up to the plan was the National Party, with deputy leader and finance spokesperson Bill English saying that there was "still time to change the...scheme if banks find it hard to borrow overseas". On 6 October, two days before
1342-438: A programme of tax cuts." The same day Helen Clark reiterated her opinion on tax cuts beyond the government's proposal, saying "now is not the time to go out and recklessly borrow to offer tax cuts", an opinion she had first voiced in early August when the National Party used its annual conference to promise to speed up the implementation of the tax cuts, and to borrow several billion dollars to fund infrastructure projects such as
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#17327901577181464-552: A prospective National-led government. United Future also announced that it would side with National in late October, after supporting the Labour government for six years. The Progressive Party, led by Jim Anderton , had served as a steady coalition partner to Labour and the electorate probably expected it to remain so. The Green Party, which abstained from opposing the Labour-led government in supply and confidence votes through
1586-599: A range of possible outcomes on election day; some suggested Labour could form a coalition government, while others predicted National in control. Of the "minor" parties, only the Green Party consistently polled over the five-percent threshold, and United Future and the Progressive Party frequently failed to register a mention. Both ACT's and the Māori Party 's popularity since 2005 remained steady at around two percent, while New Zealand First failed to poll over
1708-505: A safe National seat. Even though the number of South Island electorates remains fixed, the decline in the population of electorates south of Christchurch has resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill north to Rakaia shifting northwards. The seats of Aoraki , Otago , Rakaia and Banks Peninsula all gravitated towards Christchurch. In the process: Other seats in the lower South Island increased dramatically in size. In 2005 four MPs won seats with majorities of under
1830-687: A thousand: Labour's Darren Hughes beat National candidate Nathan Guy in Ōtaki by 382 votes (1.00%), and in Hamilton West , Martin Gallagher of the Labour Party won an 825-vote majority (2.46%) over National's Tim Macindoe. Both these seats saw a rematch in 2008, with the National Party candidates emerging victorious in each. The swing to National in the central North Island saw two Bay of Plenty seats produce close results: in Rotorua ,
1952-456: A time when he asked several questions in the House about the government's plans regarding rail infrastructure. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters faced an attack on his party's credibility, first over allegations that his party did not declare a $ 100,000 donation from millionaire ex-patriate property developer Owen Glenn to cover Winston Peters' legal costs in a challenge to the result in
2074-458: A vote of no confidence in his leadership. Geoffrey Palmer became the new Labour prime minister. However, Palmer failed to rebuild the shattered remnants of Lange's government and in September 1990, Mike Moore replaced him. Despite Moore's ascension somewhat salvaging poll-ratings, Labour suffered its worst defeat since it first took office in 1935 (losing twenty-eight seats) – voters flung
2196-472: Is left-of-centre). When the 1996 election , the first conducted under the MMP electoral system, gave the balance of power to the centrist New Zealand First party, many believed that Labour would return to power, but in the end New Zealand First formed a coalition arrangement with the National Party. Despite initially appearing coherent, the coalition became increasingly unstable and eventually collapsed, leaving
2318-516: The 1928 election , however, the party was left in an advantageous position – the Reform Party had 28 seats and the new United Party (a revival of the Liberals) had 27 seats, and neither could govern without Labour support. Labour chose to back United, the party closest to its own views – this put an end to five terms (1912–1928) of Reform Party government. In the early 1930s the rigours of
2440-555: The 2005 general election , winning 36.9% of the party vote and 46 seats. On 19 October 2017, Labour formed a minority coalition government with New Zealand First , with confidence and supply from the Green Party . In the 2020 general election, Labour won in a landslide , winning an overall majority of 10 and 50.01% of the vote. In the 2023 election , Labour lost its majority to the National Party and subsequently returned to Opposition . Since 2023 , Chris Hipkins serves as
2562-481: The 2017–2020 term included scrapping the previous National Government's national standards in schools and charter schools , the KiwiBuild affordable housing programme, restricting oil and gas exploration, banning semi-automatic firearms , restoring voting rights for prisoners serving less than three years and decriminalising abortion . The Labour Government also adopted an elimination approach towards
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#17327901577182684-800: The 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle , which devastated Auckland and the east coast of the North Island . Prior to the dissolution of Parliament , the Labour Government passed two laws as part of efforts to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 . The 2020–2023 term saw the expulsion of Labour MP Gaurva Sharma , the resignations of ministers Stuart Nash and Kiri Allan , and ministers Michael Wood and Jan Tinetti being disciplined by Parliament's privileges committee. The 2023 NZ general election, held on 14 October 2023, saw
2806-525: The ACT , United Future and Māori parties. The Governor-General swore Key in as New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister on 19 November 2008. This marked the beginning of the Fifth National Government which governed for the next nine years, until the 2017 general election , when a government was formed between the Labour and New Zealand First parties, with support on confidence and supply by
2928-462: The Bill of Rights Act , which enumerated civil and political rights. Throughout its first term (1984–1987), the Labour government remained largely unified behind the enacted radical financial, economic and social policy reforms, but early signs of dissension began to appear before the 1987 election. In 1987 Labour won another considerable election victory against the National Party, while ruptures over
3050-571: The COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand , instituting lockdowns and closing the border. Both Labour and Prime Minister Ardern attracted high domestic poll ratings due to their initial COVID-19 responses in 2020. In mid-July 2020, the Serious Fraud Office announced that it was investigating donations made to the Labour Party by two Chinese businessmen during the 2017 general election. Labour Party President Claire Szabó announced that
3172-609: The Great Depression brought Labour considerable popularity, but also caused tension between Labour and the United Party. In 1931 United passed a number of economic measures which Labour deemed hostile to workers, and the agreement between the two parties collapsed. United then formed a coalition government with Reform, making Labour the Opposition. The coalition retained power in the 1931 election , but gradually,
3294-695: The Independent Political Labour League (IPLL), which managed to win a seat in Parliament in the 1908 election . At the same time, moderates contested as " Lib-Lab " candidates, aligning with the Liberal Party while enjoying the endorsement of the labour movement. This established the basic dividing line in New Zealand's left-wing politics – the Socialists/IPLL tended to be revolutionary and militant, while
3416-853: The Israel-Hamas War . The Government also implemented several co-governance arrangements in the public sector including entrenching Māori wards and constituencies in local government , the Three Waters reform programme , and creating Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority). Following a major COVID-19 outbreak in August 2021, the Labour Government abandoned its elimination strategy and gradually eased lockdown, border restrictions, vaccine mandates and masking requirements between 2021 and 2022. During that period, growing opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates led to
3538-527: The Liberal Party . Although Labour had split with its more militant faction (which went on to form various socialist parties), it maintained what were at the time radical socialist policies. Labour's 'Usehold' policy on land was, in essence, the replacement of freehold tenure by a system of perpetual lease from the state, with all land-transfer conducted through the state (the full nationalisation of farmland). This policy proved unpopular with voters, and Labour dropped it, along with other more radical policies, in
3660-567: The Māori Party and the ACT Party . The chairman of the committee, Peter Dunne , described report as a 'middle road' through 'complex and contentious' material. According to NZ Law firm Simpson Grierson, although the review report made 34 recommendations on climate change policy, it did not make any specific recommendations to amend either the NZ ETS or the Climate Change Response Act 2002 . Simpson Grierson considered that
3782-467: The first-past-the-post voting system preventing them from governing. Up to the 1980s, the party advocated a strong role for governments in economic and social matters. When it governed from 1984 to 1990 , Labour's emergent neoliberal faction had a strong influence; the party broke precedent and transformed the economy from a protectionist one through extensive deregulation . As part of Rogernomics , Labour privatised state assets and greatly reduced
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3904-422: The "industrial anarchy" of the 1951 waterfront dispute . In the 1957 election , however, Labour won a narrow majority of two seats, and returned to office. Nash, Labour's third prime minister, took office in late 1957. Upon coming to power, Labour decided that drastic measures were needed to address balance-of-payments concerns. This resulted in the highly unpopular 1958 "Black Budget" of Arnold Nordmeyer ,
4026-479: The 1930s. As of 2020 , there have been six periods of Labour government under 11 Labour prime ministers . The party has traditionally been supported by the working classes , Māori , Pasifika , and has had strongholds in inner cities and the Māori seats for much of its existence. Labour won the party vote in 71 out of 72 electorates in the 2020 election , making it overwhelmingly the most successful political party of
4148-511: The 1993 election, was replaced by Helen Clark in December 1993. Clark led the party in opposition to the National government for six years under the administrations of Bolger (1993–1997) and Shipley (1997–1999). During this period in opposition, the party made a measured repudiation of Rogernomics, although it has never returned to its original leftist roots (Labour's contemporary position
4270-404: The 20 hours subsidised early-childhood plan; and higher numbers of people forced onto benefits by any prospective economic downturn. Over the next fiscal year, Cullen expected GDP to rise by just 0.1%, with median house prices dropping by an estimated 10–15%. John Key responded to the news by describing the numbers as "a bit worse than we had anticipated", and stated "I'm confident we can deliver
4392-585: The 2005 election by just two percentage points, Labour held a slender lead in aggregate polling through the first half of 2006; a two-point lead in the first half of the year turned into a two-point deficit by May. Polling for a preferred Prime Minister showed Helen Clark nearly twice as popular as then National Party leader Don Brash . Things changed in early 2007, with new National leader John Key improving on Brash's preferred Prime Minister rating by ten points, and overtaking Clark as preferred Prime Minister in May; at
4514-404: The 2008 elections for other reasons. In the months preceding the election 13 Members of Parliament announced that they would not seek re-election to the House of Representatives in 2008, namely: Several list MPs elected in 2005 resigned before the end of the term; for a full list, see 48th New Zealand Parliament#Changes during term . New Zealand First received 4.07% of the party vote – below
4636-414: The 5% threshold, although lacking an obvious winnable electorate seat (co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons had won Coromandel in 1999 , but the electorate returned to National in 2002 ). National won nine electorate seats from Labour: The Māori Party also won a seat from Labour. A number of seats elected new MPs following the retirement of their sitting Members: Having come first in the party vote at
4758-649: The Alliance split as one of the reasons for calling the 2002 election several months early; Labour won comfortably. Policies of the Fifth Labour Government included the KiwiSaver scheme, the Working for Families package, increasing the minimum wage 5% a year, interest-free student loans, the establishment of District Health Boards , the introduction of a number of tax credits , overhauling
4880-473: The Black Budget ensured that Nordmeyer did not have any appreciable success in reversing the party's fortunes. In 1965 the leadership went to the younger Norman Kirk , who many believed would revitalise the party. Labour suffered defeat again in the next two elections, but in the 1972 election , the party gained a significant majority over its rival. Kirk proved an energetic prime minister and introduced
5002-565: The Fourth Labour Government differed significantly from previous Labour governments. The minister of finance, Roger Douglas , supported neoliberal theories, and sought to implement sweeping free-market reforms (dubbed " Rogernomics ") to the economy and to the tax system. This involved floating the New Zealand dollar, cutting government spending, reducing taxes and removing almost all industry subsidies. The government also revolutionised New Zealand's foreign policy, making
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5124-432: The Green Party. The Green Party became the third-largest party in Parliament, with nine seats. The ACT Party came joint-fourth (in terms of seats), increasing their number of seats from two to five, and reversing some of their losses from the 2005 election. The Māori Party also won five seats – out of the seven Māori electorates – creating an overhang of two seats. The New Zealand First party, which had seven MPs in
5246-552: The Labour Party's Wellington origins, the West Coast town of Blackball is regarded as the "spiritual home" of the party, because it was the site of a miners' strike in 1908 that led to the founding of the first nationwide federation of trade unions (the " Red Federation "). The Labour Party was established by trade unions, among other groups, and the party identifies itself as part of the wider labour movement in New Zealand. The Labour Party has long been identified with red,
5368-432: The Labour caucus disliked Cunliffe, but he had strong support from the party membership. In the leadership contest he won first-preference votes from only one-third of Labour MPs. Cunliffe's tenure as leader quickly became mired in internal disputes and falling poll-ratings. Labour went on to suffer its worst electoral reversal since 1922 at the 2014 election, Cunliffe opted to resign after initially wishing to re-contest
5490-637: The Labour government lose its majority to the opposition National Party. Based on final results, Labour's share of the popular vote declined to 26.91% while its share of Parliamentary seats dropped to 34. In early November 2023, caretake Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was re-elected as leader of the Labour Party and Carmel Sepuloni was elected as deputy leader. In early 2024, three veteran Labour MPs Kelvin Davis , Rino Tirikatene and Grant Robertson resigned from Parliament, allowing Shanan Halbert , Tracey McLellan and Glen Bennett to re-enter Parliament via
5612-416: The MMP era . The party first came to power under prime ministers Michael Joseph Savage and Peter Fraser from 1935 to 1949 , when it established New Zealand's welfare state . It governed from 1957 to 1960 , and again from 1972 to 1975 . In 1974, prime minister Norman Kirk died in office, which contributed to a decline in party support. However, Labour won the popular vote in 1978 and 1981 , with
5734-589: The Maori roll had voted. The Electoral Finance Act 2007 passed by the Labour government had a "chilling effect" on political activity in 2008, according to the Electoral Commission . Some parties attempted to make this an election issue. On 5 August 2008, the Treasury announced that the New Zealand economy had entered a recession . Economic downturn has led to high-profile job losses, such as
5856-471: The Māori Party then very clearly they're starting off on the wrong foot". Marae polls released on 12 October showed 62 percent of voters polled in the two northernmost Māori electorates were resistant to the idea of a National–Māori government; co-leader Pita Sharples responded to the poll results by saying his party would be "stupid" to ignore the poll figures. See: The Labour government failed to secure
5978-560: The NZ ETS. In November 2008, the National Business Review reported that an international carbon trading company, EcoSecurities Group, had postponed opening an office in New Zealand because of the National Government's decision to delay the NZ ETS. The National-ACT coalition agreement mentioned reviewing the emissions trading scheme and possible alternatives to it, as well as "hear[ing] competing views on
6100-513: The National Government announced that it had reached an agreement with the Māori Party about revisions to the NZ ETS. On 24 September 2009, the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill had its first reading in Parliament. New Zealand general election, 2008 Helen Clark Labour John Key National The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine
6222-492: The National Party soundly defeated it in the 2008 election . Following the loss to the National Party in the November 2008 election, Helen Clark stood down as leader of the party – Phil Goff succeeded her (serving from 2008–2011). Labour had a relatively high turnover of four leaders during its most recent term in opposition; journalist Nicky Hager has attributed this to Labour's reaction to changes within public media and
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#17327901577186344-488: The National Party to govern as a minority government from 1998 to 1999. After the 1999 election , a coalition government of Labour and the Alliance took power, with Helen Clark becoming New Zealand's second female prime minister. This government, while undertaking a number of reforms, was not particularly radical when compared to previous Labour governments, and maintained a high level of popularity. The Alliance, however, fell in popularity and split internally. Clark cited
6466-489: The National Party's recent commitments to preserve Labour Party programmes such as KiwiSaver and Kiwibank as "insincere". Members of the Labour Party accused John Key of lying about his shareholding in Tranz Rail , by not disclosing nearly half of the shares he and his family trusts owned in the company, even though this presented a clear conflict of interest with Key's role as his party's spokesperson on transport, at
6588-512: The National Party's scheduled release of details of the tax-cut plan it had over and above the governing coalition's three-stage series of tax cuts revealed in the 2008 Budget , the Government disclosed its full fiscal situation; it showed that it expected to take $ 3.1 billion less tax in 2009, forcing the government to borrow $ 5.9 billion in 2009, rising to $ 7.3 billion by 2013. This implied higher costs for KiwiSaver, Working For Families and
6710-474: The National Party, then led by Robert Muldoon . Rowling remained the leader of the Labour Party for some time after his defeat. In the 1978 election and the 1981 election Labour won a larger share of the vote than National but failed to win an equivalent number of seats. This led to a very heated debate on New Zealand's electoral system, and precipitated the introduction of mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) fifteen years later . Rowling himself
6832-455: The National Party, under Sidney Holland , gained ground, although Labour was able to win the 1943 and 1946 elections. Eventually, in the 1949 election , Labour suffered electoral defeat. Fraser died shortly afterward, and was replaced by Walter Nash , the long-serving minister of finance . It would be some time before Labour would return to power; Nash lacked the charisma of his predecessors, and National won considerable support for opposing
6954-575: The Party into the political wilderness with an election landslide loss. National swept to power, seemingly repudiating the Lange/Douglas program, but then engaged in even more radical policies than Labour had contemplated. Political disillusionment caused by both governments was to be instrumental in the later adoption of mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) in 1993 (implemented in 1996). Moore himself, despite recovering sixteen seats at
7076-472: The Reform Party and the United Party took their coalition to the next step, agreeing to merge with each other. The combined organisation, named the National Party , would be Labour's main rival in future years. Labour also faced opposition within its own ranks. While the Labour Party had been explicitly socialist at its inception, it had gradually drifted away from its earlier radicalism. The death of
7198-661: The United Labour Party accepted the new organisation, however, and some continued under their own banner. Gradually, however, the differences between the Social Democrats and the ULP Remnant broke down, and in 1915 they formed a unified caucus – both to oppose Reform better and to differentiate themselves from the Liberals. A year later yet another gathering took place. This time, all major factions of
7320-415: The beginning of Labour's first term in office. The new government quickly set about implementing a number of significant reforms, including a reorganisation of the social-welfare system and setting up the state housing scheme. Workers also benefited from the introduction of the forty-hour week, and legislation making it easier for unions to negotiate on their behalf. Savage himself was highly popular with
7442-535: The boundaries of New Zealand's parliamentary electorates following the 2006 census ; the large growth in population between censuses lead to significant boundary changes, particularly in Auckland, the area around Christchurch and the central North Island. In May 2007, the Representation Commission announced the boundary changes to take effect for the next general election, with the boundaries finalised in September 2007. The Commission announced
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#17327901577187564-471: The closure of factories in Foxton , in west Dunedin and in southern Hawke's Bay . At the same time, inflation hit an eighteen-year high, with an upwards tug on the prices of basics such as food and petrol, the latter crossing the two-dollar-per-litre mark in late May. At the Labour Party's campaign launch on 12 October 2008, Helen Clark became the latest world leader to guarantee bank deposits, unveiling
7686-405: The composition of the 49th New Zealand Parliament . The liberal-conservative National Party , headed by its parliamentary leader John Key , won the largest share of votes and seats, ending nine years of government by the social-democratic Labour Party , led by Helen Clark . Key announced a week later that he would lead a National minority government with confidence-and-supply support from
7808-693: The country a nuclear-free zone , which resulted in suspension from the ANZUS alliance. Labour liberalised immigration policy and promoted migration from Asia. Other innovations during the term of the Fourth Labour Government included extending the jurisdiction of the Waitangi Tribunal back to 1840 (the date of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi ); the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986 , which legalised homosexual relations; and
7930-516: The course of the 1920s. In the 1922 election , Labour more than doubled its number of seats, winning seventeen. In the 1925 election , it declined somewhat but had the consolation of soon overtaking the Liberals as the second-largest party. Labour leader Harry Holland became the official Leader of the Opposition on 16 June 1926, after the Eden by-election on 15 April elected Rex Mason (Labour) to replace James Parr (Reform), who had resigned. After
8052-490: The direction of policy remained concealed. Despite taking votes from affluent areas, Labour suffered negative swings in more traditional seats, while the blue-ribbon seat of Remuera nearly fell into the Labour column. The government's second term (1987–1990), with an increased Labour majority won on the back of Lange's anti-nuclear stance, saw emerging divisions over economic policy arising within Cabinet. Ministers debated
8174-543: The electoral fortunes of the ACT Party depended very largely on Rodney Hide retaining Epsom, which he did. Amongst other parties very aware of the 5% barrier, United Future appeared more secure in the light of Peter Dunne 's grip on Ōhariu , which he maintained, though by a narrower margin than previously; and the Progressive Party retained a very strong hold via Jim Anderton 's " safe seat " of Wigram . The Greens never appeared in danger of slipping below
8296-578: The electorate) the Commission largely reverted proposed changes to the boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate . The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Ōtāhuhu into Manukau East . The revised new seat received the name "Botany" to reflect its focus on the growing population-centres of Botany Downs – Dannemora . On paper, Botany counts as
8418-411: The emergence of several anti-vaccination protest groups including Voices for Freedom and Brian Tamaki 's The Freedoms and Rights Coalition , culminating in the 2022 occupation of Parliament's grounds . On 19 January 2023, Ardern announced her resignation as party leader and therefore prime minister. In the resultant leadership election Chris Hipkins was the only candidate and was confirmed as
8540-408: The end of September that the party could work with both Labour and National. On 28 September, National announced a commitment to abolish the Māori electorates in time for the 2014 election. The Māori Party has benefited greatly from the Māori electorates, and its co-leader Tariana Turia was unimpressed: "They think again that they can deny us the right to participate. If they want a relationship with
8662-476: The extent and pace of further reforms, and there was disillusion among party members and supporters loyal to Labour's left-wing tradition. The Council of Trade Unions criticised the Labour Party. One vocal member of Parliament critical of government policy, former Party President Jim Anderton , departed to establish the NewLabour Party , which later became a part of the left-wing Alliance Party . At
8784-408: The figure) and third-lowest since 1902. Turnout statistics reflect the percentage of those enrolled to vote. Political scientist Stephen Levine from Victoria University speculated that the low turnout may have resulted from the National Party's large lead over Labour in opinion polls running up to the election. Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples expressed concern that only 55% of those on
8906-411: The final possible date for the 2008 general election. On Friday 12 September 2008, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that the general election would take place on 8 November 2008. This set the full election timetable as: Nineteen registered political parties contested the party vote: The following parties either disappeared during the previous parliament's term (2005 to 2008), or did not contest
9028-497: The first Labour prime minister to secure a third full term in office. Clark's government was marked by the creation of Kiwibank , a state-owned banking corporation; strong opposition to the Iraq War ; and the foreshore and seabed controversy , which caused disillusioned Māori Labour MPs to split and create the Māori Party . In the 2017 election the party, under Jacinda Ardern , returned to prominence with its best showing since
9150-428: The first time in over a decade. During the 2017 election , Labour gained 36.6% of the party vote and increased its presence in the House of Representatives to 46 seats, making it the second-largest party in Parliament. On 19 October 2017, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced that his party would form a coalition government with Labour, citing changing international and internal economic circumstances as
9272-529: The formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70. The new seat, originally dubbed " Howick " (after the Auckland suburb), would have included parts of the existing Pakuranga, Manukau East and Clevedon electorates. After Pakuranga electors made strong objections to the proposed changes (which would have seen the inclusion of the population centres Panmure , Point England and Glen Innes into
9394-485: The government loses the confidence of the House, although this has not happened since 1911. The Constitution Act 1986 defines the term of Parliament as "three 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". Since the writs for the 2005 election were returned on 6 October 2005, the ensuing 48th New Zealand Parliament expired on 6 October 2008, making 15 November
9516-436: The government opposed New Zealand military action in the Iraq War . In early 2004 Labour came under attack in the foreshore and seabed controversy . Significant internal tensions within the party eventually culminated in the resignation of junior minister Tariana Turia and her establishment of the new Māori Party . Following the 2005 election , Labour formed a coalition with the Progressive Party (breakaway party of
9638-419: The international Progressive Alliance . It is one of two major political parties in New Zealand, alongside its traditional rival, the National Party . The New Zealand Labour Party formed in 1916 out of various socialist parties and trade unions . It is the country's oldest political party still in existence. Alongside the National Party, Labour has alternated in leading governments of New Zealand since
9760-406: The introduction of the MMP system in 1996. Described as a "landslide" victory in which the party won the party vote in "virtually every single electorate", Labour is believed to have gained support from swing voters , many of whom had previously voted for National under John Key . On 20 October, Newshub reported that Ardern was not intending to forge a formal coalition with the Green Party but
9882-453: The key findings of the review were that: Rod Oram described the recommendations made by the report as "obvious, indecisive or generic". Oram considered that the politics of the review were to provide a "sop to the ACT party and a time-waster for National". Oram concluded that the review had 'failed to make any serious contribution towards improving the working of the ETS'. On 14 September 2009,
10004-420: The labour movement agreed to unite, forming the Labour Party as it is today. Almost immediately, the new Labour Party became involved in the acrimonious debate about conscription which arose during World War I . The party strongly opposed conscription, and several leading members – Peter Fraser , Harry Holland , Bob Semple and Paddy Webb – were jailed and expelled from Parliament for their stand against
10126-511: The large Asian population in the new seat, such trends may have given National candidate and victor Pansy Wong a possible advantage. Boundary changes have also shaken up the electoral landscape of the South Island. Three new seats – Selwyn , Waitaki and Rangitata , drawn respectively out of Aoraki, Otago and Rakaia, three National-held seats in 2005, damaged Labour's chances outside of Christchurch and Dunedin. On Labour's other flank,
10248-472: The law requires. This case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office for further investigation; on 11 October, New Zealand First was cleared of charges that Peters called a "waste of time" and on 24 October, New Zealand First was cleared of wrongdoing by the Electoral Commission, which was investigating donations that the party failed to declare. The Representation Commission altered many of
10370-581: The leadership. His replacement, Andrew Little (2014–2017), then resigned in 2017 following new polling showing the party sinking to a record low result of 24%, with internal voices hoping that rising star Jacinda Ardern would take over in his stead. The caucus confirmed Ardern as the new Labour leader (2017–2023). After Ardern's election to its parliamentary leadership Labour rose dramatically in opinion polls. By late August they had risen to 43% in one poll (having been 24% under Little's leadership), as well as managing to overtake National in opinion polls for
10492-566: The life of the 48th Parliament (2005 to 2008), said on 20 October that the only party of the two main parties it could form a coalition with was Labour. In the light of New Zealand First's run-in with the Serious Fraud Office, John Key ruled out that party as a government support partner on 31 August 2008, saying "the sheer weight of allegations and the actions of Mr Peters in the last few months means that I have lost that confidence in him". At that time, Peters' future seemed under
10614-418: The lion's share of the ACT and United parties' core votes (and in the process gained Northcote off Labour). The newly-drawn seat of Botany on Auckland's eastern fringe presented an electoral problem for the Labour Party – on 4 July 2008 a crowd of mostly Asian marchers numbered in the thousands protested against Labour's record on crime and sentencing and a perceived upswing in anti-Asian crime. Because of
10736-560: The moderates focused instead on progressive reform. The process of unifying these sides into a single party was difficult, with tensions between different factions running strong. In 1910 the Independent Political Labour League was relaunched as an organisation called the Labour Party (distinct from the modern party). Soon, however, the leaders of the new organisation decided that additional effort
10858-406: The motivation for international agreements to combat climate change ; and consider the uncertainties and risks surrounding those projections". The most economic-oriented term was to: "consider the impact on the New Zealand economy and New Zealand households of any climate change policies, having regard to the weak state of the economy, the need to safeguard New Zealand's international competitiveness,
10980-508: The new Labour leader on 22 January. Hipkins' premiership saw a shift in focus to "cost of living issues" and a "policy bonfire" that saw the scrapping or revision of several Government policies and initiatives including the planned merger of public broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ , a biofuel mandate, lowering the voting age to 16 years and the Clean Car Upgrade programme. Hipkins' government also responded to two natural disasters,
11102-405: The new minister of finance, which raised taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, cars, and petrol. It is widely thought to have doomed the party to defeat despite the economy rejuvenating less than a year after the adoption of the Black Budget. In the 1960 election , the National Party returned to power. The elderly Nash retired in 1963, suffering from ill health. Nordmeyer replaced him, but the taint of
11224-511: The old Alliance), and entered into complex confidence and supply agreements with the centrist United Future and New Zealand First parties, which gave each party's leader a ministerial portfolio, while the support parties remained outside the Cabinet. A limited support agreement also linked Labour with the Green Party , giving certain policy concessions to the Greens in return for abstention on confidence-and-supply votes. Labour lost power when
11346-491: The outgoing Third National Government . Government debt was skyrocketing, due largely to the costs of borrowing to maintain a fixed exchange-rate . When the result of the election became clear, Lange asked Muldoon to devalue the New Zealand dollar , which Muldoon refused to do, resulting in a constitutional crisis and precipitating some of the changes in the Constitution Act 1986 . The economic-policy agenda of
11468-490: The parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. She had led the party since 1993, and had served as prime minister since the 1999 election. 2008 saw several important political figures enter Parliament, including future finance minister Grant Robertson , future National Party leader Simon Bridges , and the next two Labour Prime Ministers, Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins . Former Labour minister Roger Douglas , who stepped down in 1990 returned to parliament in this election but as
11590-434: The party would co-operate with the investigation. The 2017–2020 term saw several ministerial resignations for various indiscretions, notably Phil Twyford , Clare Curran , Meka Whaitiri and David Clark . In the 2020 election , Labour gained 50% of the party vote and increased its presence in the House of Representatives to 65 seats, marking the first time that a party has won enough seats to govern alone since
11712-536: The party's leader , while Carmel Sepuloni is the deputy leader . The founding of the New Zealand Labour Party, on 7 July 1916 in Wellington, brought together a number of earlier socialist groups advocating proportional representation , the abolition of the country quota , the recall of members of Parliament , as well as the nationalisation of production and exchange . Despite
11834-420: The party's former leader, the "doctrinaire" Harry Holland, had marked a significant turning-point in the party's history. Some within the party, however, were displeased about the changing focus of the party. Most notably, John A. Lee . Lee, whose views were a mixture of socialism and social credit theory, emerged as a vocal critic of the party's leadership, accusing it of behaving autocratically and of betraying
11956-482: The party's rank and file. After a long and bitter dispute, the Party expelled Lee from the party, who then established his own breakaway Democratic Labour Party . Savage died in 1940 and Peter Fraser , who became Labour's longest-serving prime minister, replaced him. Fraser became best-known as New Zealand's head of government for most of World War II . In the post-war period, however, ongoing shortages and industrial problems cost Labour considerable popularity, and
12078-401: The political environment. Goff led Labour into a second electoral defeat in 2011 and was succeeded by David Shearer , who led the Labour parliamentary from 2011 to 2013. Shearer resigned after losing the confidence of caucus. David Cunliffe (2013–2014) assumed the leadership after the 2013 leadership election in which, under new rules, members and unions held 60% of the vote. Most of
12200-558: The position of trade-exposed industries, and the actions of competing countries". On 31 August 2009, the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee reported back to Parliament, with Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith stating that the National-led Government was still intending to amend the NZ ETS. The report consisted of minority reports from the New Zealand Labour Party , the Green Party ,
12322-432: The previous parliament, failed to win any electorates or pass the 5 per cent MMP threshold, and therefore won no seats in the new parliament. In his victory speech, John Key announced the readiness of the ACT, Maori Party and United Future parties to co-operate with the National Party to form the next government, the Fifth National Government of New Zealand . In her concession speech, Helen Clark announced her resignation as
12444-706: The public became highly dissatisfied with its failure to resolve the country's economic problems. Harry Holland died in 1933 and his deputy, Michael Joseph Savage, became the Labour Party parliamentary leader. In the 1935 election , the Labour Party gained a significant majority, gaining 53 seats to the coalition's 19, and returned to government. Several of the early Labour Party stalwarts were Australian-born: Alfred Hindmarsh , Harry Holland , Michael Joseph Savage , Bob Semple , Paddy Webb , Bill Parry and later Jerry Skinner , Mabel Howard , Hugh Watt , Jim Edwards and Dorothy Jelicich . Party leader Michael Joseph Savage became prime minister on 6 December 1935, marking
12566-581: The radicals, and in the end, the conservative Reform Party government of William Massey suppressed the strike by force. In the strike's aftermath, there was a major drive to end the divisions in the labour movement and to establish a united front. Accordingly, Walter Thomas Mills organised another Unity Conference , and this time the Socialists attended. The resulting group was named the Social Democratic Party . Not all members of
12688-685: The reasoning behind his decision, coupled with a belief that a Labour government was best-placed to handle the social and economic welfare of New Zealanders in a global environment that was undergoing rapid and "seismic" change. This coalition, combined with confidence and supply from the Green Party, saw Labour return to government for the first time since 2008. Ardern became prime minister, with Peters as her deputy. The Labour government pledged to eliminate child poverty, make tertiary education free, reduce immigration by 20,000 to 30,000, decriminalise abortion , and make all rivers swimmable within 10 years. Notable policies, programmes and legislation during
12810-496: The role of the state, causing a party split in 1989. Labour prime minister David Lange , a member of the party's left , also introduced New Zealand's nuclear-free policy . After a significant defeat in the 1990 election , Labour's neoliberal faction would largely defect from the party and form ACT New Zealand . Labour again became the largest party from 1999 to 2008 , when it governed in coalition with, or based on negotiated support from, several minor parties; Helen Clark became
12932-463: The sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009, repealing "three strikes" legislation , and banning live animal exports. In terms of foreign policy, the Labour Government supported Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , sanctioned Russia, signed free trade agreements with both the United Kingdom and European Union , and advocated restraint in response to
13054-402: The same time National jumped out to a sizeable lead over Labour ranging from between eight and eighteen points, spending most of 2007 and 2008 with support from around fifty percent of the electorate. Labour's popularity slumped, hitting its lowest point in the winter of 2008, before beginning a slow climb into the high thirties in August and September. Leading up to the election, polls indicated
13176-568: The same time Roger Douglas and Lange fought intermittent battles inside Cabinet, with Douglas wanting to expand his economic programme dramatically. Lange strongly opposed a flat-tax proposal from Douglas and moved to sack him, resulting in political clashes throughout 1988 and the departure of Douglas from the Cabinet in December 1988. After the Labour Caucus re-elected Douglas to Cabinet on 3 August 1989, Lange resigned from office himself (8 August 1989), interpreting Douglas's reappointment as
13298-415: The scientific aspects of climate change" and considering whether responding to climate change is economically worthwhile. New Zealand Herald journalist Brian Rudman commented that National's approach was "indulging Mr Hide in his fruitcake views on global warming". However, the final terms of reference, released on 9 December 2008, were to: "identify the central/benchmark projections which are being used as
13420-543: The seat of Tauranga . This was referred to a House of Representatives Privileges Committee . On 22 September, the committee determined that Peters had "provided misleading information" and recommended he be censured ; this was done by the House of Representatives in a 62–56 vote two days later. The second allegation revolved around the party's failure to declare the use of a secret trust to funnel large donations into New Zealand First's bank account, even though no donations over $ 10,000 to New Zealand First has been declared, as
13542-629: The secondary-school qualifications system by introducing the NCEA , and the introduction of fourteen weeks' parental leave. Labour also supported the Civil Union Act 2004 , which legalised civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The foreign policy of the Fifth Labour Government strongly reflected liberal internationalist doctrine, with a particular emphasis on promoting democracy and human rights, advocating for antimilitarism and disarmament , and encouragement of free trade. In 2003,
13664-491: The sitting Labour MP Steve Chadwick prevailed by just 662 votes (2.17%) over National's Gil Stehbens, and in Tauranga , property developer Bob Clarkson defeated New Zealand First's leader and seven-term MP for Tauranga Winston Peters by 730 votes (2.02%). Rotorua fell to National's Todd McClay in 2008, while Simon Bridges held Tauranga for National by a wide margin, preventing Peters from returning to Parliament. Besides
13786-483: The three Labour-held narrow-margin seats mentioned above (Otaki, Hamilton West and Rotorua), National had prospects of gaining Taupō , where boundary changes have added the National-leaning town of Cambridge and with it nearly 20,000 different voters – putting sitting MP Mark Burton 's 2005 majority of just 1,285 votes (4.43%) at risk. Similarly, the seat of West Coast-Tasman gave Labour's Damien O'Connor
13908-533: The three Māori electorates that it held last time against a strong Māori Party challenge were in danger of falling as they did in 1996 when New Zealand First broke Labour's sixty-year stranglehold. Nanaia Mahuta again faced Angeline Greensill for the new Hauraki-Waikato seat, and narrowly held it. Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia also held on by a small margin against veteran broadcaster Derek Fox in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti . Incumbent Mahara Okeroa , however,
14030-416: The threshold after December 2006. The polls gave varied results for preferred Prime Minister, with some giving Clark a slight lead, and others giving Key a sturdy margin. The coalition preferences of various parties played a role during the campaign, due to the likelihood that no party would get an absolute majority of seats in the House. ACT emerged as the first "minor" party to announce that it would support
14152-457: The threshold of 5% – and failed to win an electorate seat. The party's seven MPs lost their seats: The rolls listed almost 3 million people registered to vote in the election, a record number representing 95.3% of the estimated eligible voting population. In contrast, voter turnout of 79.5% of enrolled voters came in lower than in most previous elections, the second-lowest since 1978 (when a large number of outdated and duplicate enrolments deflated
14274-471: The war. The loss of leadership threatened to seriously destabilise the party, but the party survived. (Fraser, Semple and Webb later supported conscription in World War II . ) In its first real electoral test as a united party, the 1919 election , Labour won eight seats – the party's quick success shocked many conservatives. The eight seats compared with 47 for the governing Reform Party and 21 for
14396-457: The working classes, and his portrait could be found on walls in many houses around the country. At this time the Labour Party pursued an alliance with the Māori Rātana movement. The parliamentary opposition, meanwhile, attacked the Labour Party's more left-wing policies and accused it of undermining free enterprise and hard work. In May 1936, months after Labour's first general election win,
14518-428: Was compared by media unfavourably to Muldoon, and did not cope well with Muldoon's aggressive style. In 1983 Rowling was replaced as parliamentary leader by David Lange , whom the parliamentary caucus perceived as more charismatic. In the snap election of 1984 , Labour decisively defeated the National Party. When the Fourth Labour Government came into power it uncovered a fiscal crisis that had been largely hidden by
14640-533: Was defeated by Rahui Katene in Te Tai Tonga , giving the Māori Party an additional seat. The seats of Tauranga and Epsom provided particular resonances: Winston Peters failed to retake the marginal Tauranga (and Ron Mark failed to win the Rimutaka seat), meaning New Zealand First 's chances of returning to the House depended on winning 5% of the party vote, which they did not accomplish. Similarly,
14762-472: Was exploring the possibility of a lower-level support arrangement due to Labour's large parliamentary majority. Following prolonged negotiations, the Green Party agreed to enter into a cooperation agreement with the Labour Party on 31 October and received two ministerial portfolios in return. Despite this landslide victory Labour faced criticism from economists due to the government's lack of action on New Zealand's housing affordability crisis , despite it being
14884-415: Was needed to promote left-wing cooperation, and organised a "Unity Conference" . The Socialists refused to attend, but several independent labour activists agreed. The United Labour Party (ULP) was born. Soon afterward, the labour movement went through the 1912 Waihi miners' strike , a major industrial disturbance prompted by radicals in the union movement. The movement split over supporting or opposing
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