89-792: The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand governed New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990 (the period up to 8 August 1989 is also called the Lange Government ). It was the first Labour government to win a second consecutive term since the First Labour Government of 1935 to 1949. The policy agenda of the Fourth Labour Government differed significantly from that of previous Labour governments: it enacted major social reforms (such as legalising homosexual relations ) and economic reforms (including corporatisation of state services and reform of
178-446: A general election . Not since 1928 has a government been defeated on a confidence vote and therefore been obliged to resign. The Constitution Act 1986 stipulates that general elections must be held at least every three years, making this the maximum period of time that a government can serve without seeking renewal of its mandate . Upon the dissolution of Parliament (preceding a general election) ministers are no longer members of
267-637: A Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1965. After working for a time in Wellington, he attended the University of Chicago Law School , gaining a Juris Doctor in 1967. He moved from New Zealand to Iowa in August 1969 to become a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law . In his first year, he taught the newly adapted small-section courses of American Property law, Conflict Resolution, and International law. He also developed
356-580: A Gaza-bound protest flotilla in May of that year. The panel included the outgoing Colombian President Álvaro Uribe as the Vice-chair, and representatives from Turkey and Israel. The report, released on 2 September 2011, found that Israel's "naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law," and that Israeli soldiers enforcing
445-546: A better chance of winning. Palmer stated he had been prepared to lead the party to a likely defeat but was just as happy to step aside: "I was actually pretty pleased to get out at the end of 1990. I was quite happy to run through as PM and take the defeat, but if other people wanted to do it — be my guest!". Palmer also chose to retire from parliament at the election, and was replaced as the Labour candidate in his seat by Lianne Dalziel . The leadership change failed, however, and
534-411: A consequent election-year by-election. The Labour Party was founded on socialist principles and traditionally favoured state regulation of the economy and strong support for disadvantaged members of society. The First Labour Government made major Keynesian reforms along these lines, and subsequent governments continued this system. By the 1970s, the system of regulation, protectionism and high taxes
623-409: A corresponding public service department ( see § Departments ). 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
712-723: A form of proportional representation . The Fourth Labour Government's nuclear-free zone policy is still occasionally debated as of 2018 and has been a subject of controversy in New Zealand. Don Brash ( National Party leader from 2003 to 2006) talked about repealing the anti-nuclear Act to six visiting United States senators in May 2004, even going so far as to say the ban on nuclear-ship visits would be "gone, by lunchtime even". He and his party received much criticism for promising foreign politicians to ban something so ingrained in New Zealand political culture . David Lange
801-601: A key example of the executive abusing its power, as one faction in cabinet exerted power disproportionate to its numbers (see Division over Rogernomics, below). Palmer's plan for a written constitution and entrenched Bill of Rights was derailed partly by public indifference but mostly by opposition from Māori who believed that the Treaty of Waitangi would be sidelined in the process. The Fourth Labour Government made significant reforms to resource management, conservation, planning and mining legislation and local government as well as
890-481: A majority of Parliament. The very short lead-up time to the election meant that Labour had no time to put together a formal manifesto, and this gave it licence to enact many policies which it had not told voters about before the election. Muldoon was extremely unpopular by this time, and most voters had become disillusioned with his economic policies, so it is entirely likely that Labour would have won this election even if they had announced their programme in advance. There
979-475: A press conference announcing that the flat tax scheme would not go ahead. Douglas released a letter and press statement stating a lack of confidence in Lange, and Lange treated it as a resignation. He was replaced as Minister of Finance by David Caygill , who said in an Eyewitness special that he stood for a continuation of Rogernomics. The next year saw even greater fracturing. After being defeated in his bid for
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#17327719894931068-539: A remit endorsing a referendum on the principle of proportional representation. Palmer, however, was perceived by the public as being too closely involved with Douglas's reforms. Of particular concern to many people was his work on the legal aspects of state sector rearrangement, such as his preparation of the State Owned Enterprises Act. The presence of David Caygill (a Douglas ally) as Minister of Finance further compounded perception that Palmer
1157-714: A written Constitution, taking on board the response of the public. This campaign is ongoing. Palmer was appointed a member of Her Majesty's Privy Council in 1985. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1991 New Year Honours , and made an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in the same year. In 1991 he was listed on the United Nations Global 500 Roll of Honour for his work on environmental issues. These included reforming resource management law. Palmer also sat as
1246-483: Is a New Zealand lawyer and former politician who was a member of Parliament from 1979 to 1990. He served as the 33rd prime minister of New Zealand for a little over a year, from August 1989 until September 1990, leading the Fourth Labour Government . As minister of justice from 1984 to 1989, Palmer was responsible for considerable reforms of the country's legal and constitutional framework, such as
1335-697: 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. All ministers are members of the Executive Council, and are styled " The Honourable " while in office (or for life if
1424-617: 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. 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
1513-659: Is generally regarded as having been the country's first prime minister. The first ministry that formed along party lines did not appear until 1891, when John Ballance formed the Liberal Party and the Liberal Government . 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 . In short, there have been three distinctly different periods of New Zealand government—firstly,
1602-430: Is said to serve " at His Majesty's pleasure ". 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
1691-424: 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
1780-469: The 1975 general election , Palmer took part in the " Citizens for Rowling " campaign. In a 1979 by-election , Palmer was elected to Parliament as the member for Christchurch Central , having stood as the Labour Party candidate. In March 1981 he was elevated to the shadow cabinet as spokesperson for constitutional affairs and associate spokesperson for justice. Following Labour's unexpected loss at
1869-513: The 1981 general election Palmer gained the social welfare and accident compensation portfolios. In 1983 , Palmer stood for the deputy leadership of the party. In a three-way contest, in which all candidates were from Christchurch to reflect geographical proportionality, Palmer trailed on the first ballot to Papanui MP Mike Moore . Lyttelton MP Ann Hercus was eliminated and on the second ballot almost all of her supporters voted for Palmer, who beat Moore by one vote. He became deputy Leader of
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#17327719894931958-565: The ACT Party , which aimed to continue his reforms. He was later joined by Richard Prebble , who became leader. By the time of the 1990 general election the government was in chaos. Lange had resigned and Mike Moore had taken over from Lange's successor Geoffrey Palmer just eight weeks before the election. Jim Anderton had quit the party to form NewLabour , which represented the Labour Party 's traditional values. The election
2047-744: The ANZUS issue probably also won it votes. Despite internal divisions, the government managed to maintain a united front before and during the 1987 election. On election night, Lange raised Douglas' hand in a boxing-style victory pose, to convey unity. However divisions had already emerged in January and February 1987 over the Māori loan affair , with only two other ministers supporting the proposal of Lange and Palmer that Koro Wētere should resign as Minister of Maori Affairs and from his seat in Parliament, with
2136-605: The International Whaling Commission (IWC). Palmer continued his involvement with, and teaching at Victoria University of Wellington and was regularly engaged as an expert consultant on public and constitutional law issues. As of 2022 , Palmer is an honorary fellow in the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, and coordinates and lectures a course on public law and constitutional values in relation to public inquiries. His son Matthew Palmer
2225-478: The Treaty of Waitangi and feminism. This group held a very wide range of economic views, but the majority had little interest in or knowledge of economics. When the Fourth Labour government took office, most members accepted the need for some economic reform. Finance Minister Roger Douglas and his supporters felt that a complete overhaul of the New Zealand economic system was required. Initially most of
2314-650: The USS Buchanan was on the cards. Lange announced that the Buchanan would not be welcome, and the US suspended its treaty obligations to New Zealand under the ANZUS alliance. The issue became a cause célèbre in New Zealand, perhaps primarily because small countries rarely stand up to larger and more powerful countries in such a way. In America, those on the right called for trade sanctions against New Zealand while those on
2403-580: 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." Geoffrey Palmer (politician) Sir Geoffrey Winston Russell Palmer KCMG AC KC PC (born 21 April 1942)
2492-567: The mixed-member proportional representation system. After the 1987 elections , when Labour was re-elected, he also became Minister of the Environment , an area in which he took personal interest. The most notable feature of New Zealand politics at the time was the economic change promoted by the Finance Minister , Roger Douglas . Douglas was advancing monetarist policies involving extensive privatisation of state assets and
2581-477: The " Beehive " because of the building's shape, houses many government offices and is also where the Cabinet meets. Thus the name Beehive is sometimes used metonymically to refer to the New Zealand Government. The official website of the New Zealand Government uses the web address beehive.govt.nz . The first New Zealand Constitution Act was passed in 1846, though Governor George Grey
2670-501: The "Douglas" proposals. In 1984, David Caygill and Richard Prebble had been made associate ministers to Douglas, with Douglas, Caygill and Prebble, known as the "Troika" or the "Treasury Troika", becoming the most powerful group in Cabinet. The "Douglas" faction, which supported the reforms, dominated Cabinet . The doctrine of Cabinet collective responsibility under the "Westminster system" requires all Cabinet members to support Cabinet policy, even if they do not agree with it. Since
2759-432: The 1990 elections, it was clear that Labour would not win. The perceived damage done by Roger Douglas's reforms, as well as Palmer's lack of general charisma, caused too many Labour supporters to abandon the party. In addition, Palmer was perceived as being too academic and aloof, reminding people of the paternalistic attitude that Douglas was accused of. Palmer was replaced by Mike Moore , who Labour believed would give it
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2848-491: 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. 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
2937-427: The Cabinet as a legal entity; it exists solely by constitutional convention. 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. The governor-general will appoint as prime minister the person most likely to receive
3026-541: The Cabinet had a slight majority in the Labour caucus , the Douglas faction was able to dominate caucus even though they were a minority. It was later alleged that Douglas and his supporters had used underhand tactics such as introducing important motions at the last minute, preventing serious debate. David Lange also complained in his autobiography about the " Backbone club ", a ginger group chaired by Ron Bailey which supported Douglas and Rogernomics. The divisions within
3115-433: The Cabinet that outlines the Government's policy and legislative proposals. 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
3204-538: 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
3293-540: The Government to engage in a programme of reviewing the old Law Commission reports with a view to actioning them. This resulted in a number of existing reports being actioned. Palmer stepped down from the Law Commission at the end of his tenure on 1 December 2010. In August 2010, Palmer was chosen to chair a UN Inquiry panel into the fatal Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish ship participating in
3382-608: The Government was doomed actually, and my wife was absolutely of that opinion. But I thought I had a duty to do it and to try and get as many of the reforms completed as possible. We did complete a fair number. The Reserve Bank Act went through, the Public Finance Act went through, the Bill of Rights Act went through. I particularly wanted the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, thank you very much." Two months before
3471-533: 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". 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. The Executive Wing of Parliament Buildings , commonly called
3560-431: 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". 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
3649-424: The House. 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 . By convention, if a government loses the confidence of the House then it must either resign or call for
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3738-536: The International Court of Justice. The MMP system which he had helped promote was adopted in a 1993 referendum. In 1994, he established Chen Palmer & Partners , a specialist public law firm he began with Wellington lawyer Mai Chen . In September 2001 Palmer became a founding trustee of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research and in December 2002 was appointed to be New Zealand's representative to
3827-582: The Opposition . When, in 1984, the Labour Party won the general elections , Palmer became Deputy Prime Minister of the Fourth Labour Government . He also became Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. The new justice minister, who had promoted proportional representation as a law professor in his book Unbridled Power? , also published in 1984, set up a Royal Commission to investigate the electoral system and propose modifications or alternatives. His Royal Commission reported in December 1986, recommending
3916-464: The Opposition before and/or after his tenure as prime minister. Palmer later went on to serve as Professor of Law at Victoria University again. He also held a position as Professor of Law at the University of Iowa , and worked for a time as a law consultant. While at the University of Iowa he taught courses on International law and global environment issues as well as a two-week mini course about
4005-488: The Parliament in order to call an election , 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. 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. The person who fills this role
4094-586: The Royal Assent to bills of parliament has been rendered ineffective by the convention. 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
4183-591: 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 . There are two main tiers of elected local authorities— regional councils and territorial authorities —in some places merged into unitary authorities . While
4272-415: The banning of all American warships from entering New Zealand waters as it was US policy to 'neither confirm nor deny' whether individual ships were nuclear armed. The warships had been visiting New Zealand as part of the ANZUS alliance, and most people hoped that the alliance could be preserved even if the nuclear ban took effect. The issue came to a head shortly after the 1984 election, as a proposed visit by
4361-491: The blockade faced "organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers" when they boarded the ship. However, the report also found that the Israeli soldiers responded with "excessive and unreasonable" force and recommended that Israel make "an appropriate statement of regret" and pay compensation. In September 2016, Palmer and legal academic Andrew Butler published A Constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand . In this book
4450-517: 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. Several senior ministers (usually 20) constitute a collective decision-making body known as the Cabinet , which is led by the prime minister (currently Christopher Luxon ). A few more ministers (usually junior or supporting) are part of
4539-427: 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. 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
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#17327719894934628-695: The creation of the Constitution Act 1986 , New Zealand Bill of Rights , Imperial Laws Application Act , and the State Sector Act . He served as president of the New Zealand Law Commission , from 2005 to 2010. Palmer was born in Nelson and attended Nelson Central School, Nelson Intermediate School and Nelson College . At Victoria University of Wellington , he studied both political science and law. He graduated with
4717-513: The curriculum for a Torts course to be taught during the second year of law school. This was the first course of its kind in the United States and he was granted tenure in his second year of teaching at the college. In 1972, he left to be a visiting professor at the University of Virginia College of Law. Eventually, in 1974, he was appointed to a professorship of law at Victoria University of Wellington, bringing him back to New Zealand. At
4806-571: The damage of these years and to regain the trust of their former supporters. In the 1990 election, Labour lost many votes to NewLabour , the Greens , and in 1993 to the Alliance Party , which had been formed by NewLabour, the Greens and several other small left-wing political parties. Douglas did not stand at the 1990 election, and several of his supporters were defeated. He went on to form
4895-417: The decisions of Cabinet. However, since the introduction of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system in 1993, processes were developed to allow different parties within a coalition cabinet to " agree to disagree " on some issues. 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
4984-620: The election, forming the Fourth National Government . Labour would not regain power until 1999 . Jim Bolger said after inheriting two financial crisis from Labour (a budget deficit not a surplus, and the need to bail out the Bank of New Zealand ) that Labour had lied during the campaign: he was still angry because the lie was so big . Despite campaigning on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following Rogernomics, Bolger's Fourth National Government essentially advanced
5073-419: The first schedule to the State Sector Act 1988 . Staffed by around 45,000 public servants, they provide the government of the day with advice and deliver services to the public. Since the 1980s, the public service has been marketised . 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
5162-505: The free-market reforms of the Fourth Labour Government—this continuation of Rogernomics was called Ruthanasia . The economic structure introduced by Roger Douglas has remained essentially unchanged since the 1980s. The disillusionment of the electorate was also reflected in referendums in 1992 and 1993 which resulted in electoral reform in the form of a change from first-past-the-post to mixed-member proportional (MMP),
5251-501: The government came to a head in 1988. Lange felt that New Zealand had experienced enough change in a short period, and that the country needed time to recover from the reforms and from the effects of the 1987 stock market crash and the resulting economic recession . Douglas wanted to press on with reforms, and put forward a proposal for a flat tax . Lange initially supported this, but then realised it would inevitably lead to cuts in social services. Without informing his colleagues, he held
5340-428: The government supported this, although a number of traditionalists were already suspicious of Douglas. Gradually more and more MPs, including Prime Minister David Lange became alarmed at the extent and speed of the reforms. Those in the government who wanted to slow or stop the reforms found it difficult to do so. This is partially because few of them knew much about economics, and were thus unable to convincingly rebut
5429-468: The governor-general. 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. The Executive Council, established under the Letters Patent 1983 ,
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#17327719894935518-474: The issue was "effectively dead for the immediate future." Eventually, Douglas was removed from Cabinet , but the dispute had weakened Lange enough that he resigned a month later. Palmer, being deputy leader, took over as prime minister. Electoral reformers in the Labour Party kept up the pressure, and in September 1989, after Palmer had become prime minister, the full annual conference of the Labour Party passed
5607-523: The left idealised the country. New Zealand's diplomatic relations with America have never returned to their pre-1984 status, although the nuclear issue is becoming less important. The government also reinstated a diplomatic representative resident in India (Muldoon had closed the High Commission there) and appointed Edmund Hillary to the post. The government's constitutional reforms were primarily
5696-763: The major governing party, as has been the case in recent governments. Ministers outside the Cabinet have the same overall duties and responsibilities as their senior colleagues inside Cabinet. 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 . The table below lists all ministers, as of 25 June 2024 . Notes 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
5785-491: The opposition National Party under Jim Bolger won a landslide victory. Palmer became the second Labour leader to leave the party leadership without ever leading the party into an election after Alfred Hindmarsh . Of the Labour Prime Ministers and notwithstanding Hugh Watt 's tenure as interim prime minister following the death of Norman Kirk , Palmer is the only one who had not also served as Leader of
5874-408: The pair outlined their arguments for New Zealand to adopt a written Constitution, and also drafted out what this would look like. They then invited public submissions on the subject online and spent a year promoting the book and their campaign. The pair released a second book in 2018, Towards Democratic Renewal , that amends some of their proposal in the previous text and further argues their cause for
5963-455: The party presidency, Jim Anderton quit the party to form NewLabour ; which stood for Labour's traditional socialist values. Douglas was re-elected to Cabinet, leading to Lange's resignation. He was replaced with Geoffrey Palmer , a Lange supporter and constitutional lawyer. However he lacked the charisma to attract voters, and shortly before the 1990 election he was replaced by Mike Moore . The Labour Party took several years to recover from
6052-525: 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. In New Zealand, the term Government can have a number of different meanings. At its widest, it can refer collectively to
6141-465: 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. By convention, a distinct government is named after the largest party that leads it. The New Zealand Government is formally styled [His] Majesty's Government in the Seal of New Zealand Act 1977 . This
6230-405: The prime minister recommends it), except for the prime minister, who is entitled to be styled " The Right Honourable " for life. Although not a member of the Executive Council, the governor-general usually presides at Council meetings. Cabinet ( Māori : Te Rūnanga ) is the senior decision-making body of the Government. Constitutional law, such as the Constitution Act 1986, does not recognise
6319-512: The principle of parliamentary sovereignty . 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 . For example, the Royal Assent (the monarch's approval) is required to enact laws and the royal sign-manual gives authority to letters patent and orders in council . The royal prerogative also includes summoning and dissolving
6408-543: The reforms. The government's most notable foreign policy initiative concerned nuclear weapons and the ANZUS alliance. Many New Zealanders (especially within the Labour Party) wanted to make New Zealand a nuclear-free zone . An opinion poll conducted by the Defence Committee showed that 92% of the population opposed the presence of nuclear weapons entering New Zealand. However this would ultimately require
6497-542: The removal of tariffs and subsidies —these reforms were dubbed " Rogernomics ". These policies, which contravened Labour's basic policy platform and campaign promises, were deeply unpopular with Labour's traditional support base, and resulted in a confrontation between Prime Minister David Lange and Roger Douglas. Lange also reneged from his promise to hold a binding referendum on the MMP system. Palmer conceded defeat on MMP at an April 1989 Labour regional conference, saying that
6586-718: The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi was the Charter for Erecting the Colony of New Zealand of 1840. 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. The provinces were abolished by
6675-447: The spectrum. The Labour government also enacted nuclear-free legislation, which led to the United States suspending its treaty obligations to New Zealand under the ANZUS alliance. David Lange led the government for most of its two three-year terms in office. Lange and Douglas had a falling-out that divided the party. The government suffered a defeat at the 1990 general election , but the incoming National government retained most of
6764-636: The state sector. Significant new legislation included: Geoffrey Palmer initiated the Resource Management Law Reform process which later resulted in the enactment of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Crown Minerals Act 1991 , after Labour lost office in the 1990 election. In 1988, the Fourth Labour Government initiated the first work programme for developing policy for climate change. This
6853-411: The tax system ). The economic reforms became known as " Rogernomics ", after Finance Minister Roger Douglas . According to one political scientist: Between 1984 and 1993, New Zealand underwent radical economic reform, moving from what had probably been the most protected, regulated and state-dominated system of any capitalist democracy to an extreme position at the open, competitive, free-market end of
6942-486: The term "Government" refers chiefly to the executive branch , and more specifically to the collective ministry directing the executive. Based on the principle of responsible government , it operates within the framework that "the [ King ] reigns, but the government rules, so long as it has the support of the House of Representatives ". The Cabinet Manual describes the main laws, rules and conventions affecting
7031-579: 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). Each branch operates independently of the others in an arrangement described as " separation of powers ". More commonly, the term is used to refer specifically to the executive branch. The largest party or coalition in
7120-582: The work of Geoffrey Palmer , a constitutional lawyer who for many years had been concerned about New Zealand's lack of a written constitution and the 'unbridled power' of the executive. These concerns came to the fore when the Government was elected to office, and led to the Official Committee on Constitutional Reform, which reported back to Parliament in February 1986 and led to the 1986 Constitution Act. Ironically, Palmer's government would provide
7209-462: Was Prime Minister for most of this Government's term. In 1989 he resigned and Geoffrey Palmer replaced him. A little over a year later, Mike Moore replaced Palmer, only eight weeks before the 1990 election : New Zealand Government The New Zealand Government ( Māori : Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa ) is the central government through which political authority is exercised in New Zealand . As in most other parliamentary democracies ,
7298-547: Was a disaster for Labour. The party lost nearly half its seats, including one to Anderton . Anderton's NewLabour Party and the Greens took many votes from Labour, although the first-past-the-post electoral system meant that their share of the vote was not reflected in the division of seats. Michael Bassett commented that the government "whimpered away unlamented, a victim of low commodity prices that delayed economic recovery, but more particularly of catastrophically poor leadership in its second term". The National Party won
7387-486: Was also a major run on the New Zealand Dollar caused by the constitutional crisis following the election, when outgoing Prime Minister Robert Muldoon refused to devalue the New Zealand dollar. Although the government gained one seat, two extra seats had been created since the previous election and its majority remained unchanged at 17. Its share of the vote rose from 43% in 1984 to 48%, although voter turnout
7476-487: Was also a prominent legal academic and public servant, and was appointed a High Court judge in 2015. Notable students of Palmer include Nicola Wheen . On 1 December 2005, Palmer was appointed to the presidency of the New Zealand Law Commission (the government agency that reviews, reforms and seeks to improve the country's laws) by the Governor-General for a term of five years. During his tenure, he persuaded
7565-439: Was doing nothing to address public concerns. The only area in which Palmer won praise from traditional left-wing supporters was in his handling of the Environment portfolio, which he kept when he became Prime Minister – it was his work here in initiating the resource management law reform process that eventually led to the creation of the Resource Management Act 1991 . Palmer later reflected on his brief premiership: "I thought
7654-408: Was down slightly. It had lost votes from traditional strongholds but gained them in formerly National-leaning seats. According to Lange, this alerted him to the fact that the Labour Party was drifting away from its traditional support base. He was particularly alarmed that Labour had nearly won the wealthy seat of Remuera , traditionally a National stronghold. Public support of the government's stand on
7743-531: Was in response to the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change . The policy programme was coordinated between agencies by the Ministry of the Environment. The fourth Labour government was brought into office by a landslide victory in the 1984 election . This was a snap election called by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon after he lost confidence in his ability to command
7832-505: Was no longer functioning properly, and required ever more regulation to stabilise it. Meanwhile, the Labour Party, once dominated by working-class and trade unionists, had attracted many middle-class people with its liberal social and independent foreign policies. These new members were interested in international issues such as the apartheid system in South Africa and nuclear weapons, and domestic ' identity politics ' issues such as
7921-459: 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 Act of 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
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