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New Zealand Labour Party
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{{short description|Centre-left political party in New Zealand}}{{use New Zealand English|date=November 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}







factoids
| logo = New Zealand Labour Party logo.svg| logo_size = 200pxLeader of the New Zealand Labour Party>Leader| leader1_name = Chris HipkinsDeputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party>Deputy Leader| leader2_name = Carmel SepuloniPresident of the New Zealand Labour Party>PresidentJill Day (politician)>Jill Day| leader4_title = General SecretaryTITLE=LABOUR APPOINTS ROB SALMOND AS NEW GENERAL SECRETARY ACCESS-DATE=12 NOVEMBER 2020, Radio New Zealand, Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)>Social Democratic PartyUnited Labour PartyWellington 6011| student_wing = New Zealand Young Labour>Young LabourLGBT>LGBT+ wing| wing1 = Rainbow Labour| membership = | membership_year = | ideology = Social democracyCentre-left politics>Centre-leftProgressive AlliancePARTIES & ORGANISATIONSPUBLISHER=PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE, 22 July 2019, | affiliation1_title = | affiliation1 = {{party colorPolitical colour#Red>Redwww.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-in-it-for-you-chris-hipkins-launches-slogan-for-labour-2023-campaign/33PUJBSVTJEZFIR5MBXUIR5DA4/, New Zealand House of Representatives>House of Representatives34hex= {{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}| flag = www.labour.org.nz/}}| country = New Zealand| state = New Zealand| footnotes = }}{{labour|sp=uk|expanded=parties}}The New Zealand Labour Party, also known simply as Labour (),WEB, Reipa – Māori Dictionary,maoridictionary.co.nz/word/6685, 18 June 2021, maoridictionary.co.nz, is a centre-left political party in New Zealand.BOOK, Boston, Jonathan, Jonathan Boston, etal, New Zealand Votes: The General Election of 2002, 358, 2003, Victoria University Press, WEB, Voters’ preexisting opinions shift to align with political party positions,www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181102105956.htm, Association for Psychological Science, Science Daily, 26 November 2018, 2 November 2018, BOOK, Papillon, Martin, Turgeon, Luc, Wallner, Jennifer, White, Stephen, Comparing Canada: Methods and Perspectives on Canadian Politics, 2014, UBC Press, 9780774827867, 126,books.google.com/books?id=WpU8BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126, 30 August 2016, [...] [I]n New Zealand politics, by the centre-left Labour Party and the centre-right National Party [...]., WEB, Khalil, Shaimaa, Chris Hipkins: Uphill battle looms for New Zealand’s next PM,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64355972/, BBC, Wellington, 22 January 2023, 22 January 2023, ...his centre-left Labour party., The party’s platform programme describes its founding principle as democratic socialism,WEB, New Zealand Labour Party Policy Platform,d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nzlabour/pages/3956/attachments/original/1459459622/2016_Policy_Platform.pdf?1459459622, New Zealand Labour Party, 5, March 2016, 13 June 2017, The Labour Party’s values are based on our founding principle of Democratic Socialism.,web.archive.org/web/20180628154413/https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nzlabour/pages/3956/attachments/original/1459459622/2016_Policy_Platform.pdf?1459459622, 28 June 2018, while observers describe Labour as social-democratic and pragmatic in practice. The party participates in 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 the 1930s.{{sfn|Miller|2005|pp= 32–33}} {{As of|2020}}, there have been six periods of Labour government under 11 Labour prime ministers. The party has traditionally been supported by working class, urban, Māori, Pasifika, immigrant and trade unionist New Zealanders, and has had strongholds in inner cities and the Māori seats for much of its existence.NEWS, New Zealand – Political process {{!, Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Zealand/Political-process |access-date=7 May 2022 |newspaper=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}} The party is currently strongest in Wellington, Palmerston North and Hamilton, where it won all of the electorates in 2020. Labour also won the party vote in 71 out of 72 electorates in that election, making it overwhelmingly the most successful political party of the MMP era.NEWS, Schwartz, Matthew, 17 October 2020, New Zealand PM Ardern Wins Re-Election In Best Showing For Labour Party In Decades, NPR,www.npr.org/2020/10/17/924934728/new-zealand-pm-ardern-wins-re-election-in-best-showing-for-labour-party-in-decad, live, 18 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201017225439/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/17/924934728/new-zealand-pm-ardern-wins-re-election-in-best-showing-for-labour-party-in-decad, 17 October 2020, WEB, Shaw, Richard, Hayward, Bronwyn, Vowles, Jack, Curtin, Jennifer, MacDonald, Lindsey, 17 October 2020, Jacinda Ardern and Labour returned in a landslide – 5 experts on a historic New Zealand election,theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-and-labour-returned-in-a-landslide-5-experts-on-a-historic-new-zealand-election-148245, live,web.archive.org/web/20201018145222/https://theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-and-labour-returned-in-a-landslide-5-experts-on-a-historic-new-zealand-election-148245, 18 October 2020, 18 October 2020, The Conversation (website), The Conversation, 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 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 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 the first Labour prime minister to secure a third 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 the 2005 general election, winning 36.9% of the party vote and 46 seats.WEB, 2017 General Election – Official Result,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), New Zealand Electoral Commission, 7 October 2017, 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.NEWS, New Zealand election: Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party scores landslide win,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54519628, 18 October 2020, BBC News, 17 October 2020, 17 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201017194659/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54519628, live, In the 2023 election, Labour lost its majority to the National Party and subsequently returned to Opposition.NEWS, Corlett, Eva, New Zealand abandons Labour and shifts to the right as country votes for wholesale change,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/14/new-zealand-election-2023-results-national-party-labour-, 19 October 2023, The Guardian, 14 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231018002814/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/14/new-zealand-election-2023-results-national-party-labour-, 18 October 2023, live, {{as of|January 2013|alt=Since 2023}}, Chris Hipkins serves as the party’s leader, while Carmel Sepuloni is the deputy leader{{TOC limit|3}}

History

Background

{{see also|Socialism in New Zealand}}The founding of the New Zealand Labour Party, on 7 July 1916 in Wellington,WEB, New Zealand Labour Party founded,nzhistory.govt.nz/the-new-zealand-labour-party-is-formed, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 4 February 2017, 23 December 2016, 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.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=ix}} Despite the Labour Party’s Wellington origins, the West Coast town of Blackball is regarded as the “spiritual home” of the party,WEB, Returning to Labour’s Roots,www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots, New Zealand Labour Party, 19 June 2017, en, 18 April 2016,www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots," title="web.archive.org/web/20170727134401www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots,">web.archive.org/web/20170727134401www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots, 27 July 2017, dead, 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“).WEB, Derby, Mark, Strikes and labour disputes −1908 Blackball strike,teara.govt.nz/en/strikes-and-labour-disputes/page-4, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 1 February 2023, en-NZ, 11 March 2010, 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.WEB, History of the Labour Party: The labour movement in New Zealand,www.labour.org.nz/history, New Zealand Labour Party, 19 June 2017, WEB, Party information,www.labour.org.nz/party_info, New Zealand Labour Party, The Labour Party is part of a wider labour movement, which continues to help working Kiwis in New Zealand. We therefore have a relationship with our affiliated trade unions., 11 March 2022, The Labour Party has long been identified with red, a political colour traditionally affiliated with socialism and the labour movement.

Formation (1901–1916)

{{formation of New Zealand Labour Party}}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.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|pp=13f}} In 1905 a group of working-class politicians who were dissatisfied with the Liberal approach established the Independent Political Labour League (IPLL),{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|pp=17f}} which managed to win a seat in Parliament in the {{NZ election link|1908}}.{{sfn|Wilson|1985|p=216}}{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=19}} At the same time, moderates contested as “Lib-Lab” candidates, aligning with the Liberal Party while enjoying the endorsement of the labour movement.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=80}} This established the basic dividing line in New Zealand’s left-wing politics – the Socialists/IPLL tended to be revolutionary and militant, while 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.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=13}}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 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.BOOK,www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/political-parties/page-8, An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, Labour Party, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te ManatÅ« Taonga, A. H., McLintock, Alexander Hare McLintock, 15 July 2015, First published in 1966, 22 April 2009, An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, Soon afterward, the labour movement went through the 1912 Waihi miners’ strike, a major industrial disturbance prompted by radicals in the union movement.WEB, ‘Black Tuesday’ – The 1912 Waihi strike,nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/black-tuesday/the-1912-waihi-strike, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 19 June 2017, en, The movement split over supporting or opposing 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 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.NEWS,paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=SUNCH19150706.2.96, Sun, 11, A Separate Identity, 6 July 1915, 30 March 2016, II, 438, A year later yet another gathering took place. This time, all major factions of the labour movement agreed to unite, forming the Labour Party as it is today.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|pp= 70–71}}

Electoral record of constituent parties pre–1916 Labour {|classwikitable alignleft

!colspan=2 width=100|Term!colspan=2 width=100|Electorate!colspan=2 width=100|Party!width=125|Elected MPs{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1908}}|end=1910|term=17th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington East}}|party=Independent Political Labour League}}David McLaren{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1910|end=1911|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}{{NZ parlbox|start=1911|end=1912|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington South}}|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}Alfred Hindmarsh{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1912|end=1914|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington South}}|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Grey Lynn}}|start=1911|end=1914|term=18th}}John Payne{{NZ parlbox|party=Independent Labour|electorate=Grey Lynn|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th}}{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1916|end=|party=Independent politician}}{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1911}}|end=1913|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Otaki}}|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}John Robertson{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1913|end=1914|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox|start=1911|end=1912|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wanganui}}|party=Independent Labour}}Bill Veitch{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1912|end=1914|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th|electorate=Wanganui|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1916|end=|party=Independent politician}}{{NZ parlbox|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Grey}}|start={{By-election link year|Grey|1913}}|end=1914|term=18th}}Paddy Webb{{NZ parlbox|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)|electorate=Grey|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th}}{{NZ parlbox|start={{By-election link year|Lyttelton|1913}}|end=1914|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Lyttelton}}|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}James McCombs{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Lyttelton}}|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}{{NZ parlbox|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Dunedin North}}|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th}}Andrew Walker (politician)>Andrew Walker{{clear}}

Early years (1916–1935)

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,{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=30}} and several leading members – Peter Fraser, Harry Holland, Bob Semple and Paddy Webb – were jailed and expelled from Parliament for their stand against the war.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Derby, Mark, Conscription, conscientious objection and pacifism – Conscription,www.teara.govt.nz/en/conscription-conscientious-objection-and-pacifism/page-1, (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand), 19 June 2017, 20 June 2012, 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 {{NZ election link|1919}}, Labour won eight seats – the party’s quick success shocked many conservatives.{{sfn|Lipson|2011|p=211}} The eight seats compared with 47 for the governing Reform Party and 21 for the Liberal Party.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=18}}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 the course of the 1920s.File:New Zealand Parliamentary Labour Party, 1922.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Members of the Labour parliamentary caucus, 1922. Prominent members are Harry Holland (seated, left of centre), Peter Fraser (seated, right of centre) and Michael Joseph SavageMichael Joseph SavageIn the {{NZ election link|1922}}, Labour more than doubled its number of seats, winning seventeen. In the {{NZ election link|1925}}, 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 the {{NZ election link|1928}}, 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.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=79}}In the early 1930s the rigours of 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 {{NZ election link|1931}}, but gradually, 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 {{NZ election link|1935}}, 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.

First Government (1935–1949)

(File:Michael Joseph Savage Portrait.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Michael Joseph Savage, the first Prime Minister from the Labour Party)Party leader Michael Joseph Savage became prime minister on 6 December 1935, marking 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.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Aimer, Peter, Labour Party – First Labour government, 1935 to 1949,www.teara.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-2, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 19 June 2017, 20 June 2012, Workers also benefited from the introduction of the forty-hour week, and legislation making it easier for unions to negotiate on their behalf.JOURNAL, Epstein, Richard A., Employment and Labor Law Reform in New Zealand Lecture, Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, 2001, 33,chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2222&context=journal_articles, 19 June 2017, Savage himself was highly popular with the working classes, and his portrait could be found on walls in many houses around the country.WEB, Michael Joseph Savage,nzhistory.govt.nz/people/michael-joseph-savage-biography, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 19 June 2017, en, At this time the Labour Party pursued an alliance with the Māori Rātana movement.WEB, Rātana and Labour seal alliance – 22 April 1936,nzhistory.govt.nz/page/ratana-and-labour-seal-alliance, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 17 May 2017, 19 June 2017, en, 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, 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.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=100}}File:Labour Government caucus 1935.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Members of the First Labour Government on the steps of the Parliamentary Library in Wellington, 1935]]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 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 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.WEB, John A Lee,nzhistory.govt.nz/people/john-a-lee, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 19 June 2017, 30 March 2015, 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 the National Party, under Sidney Holland, gained ground, although Labour was able to win the 1943 and 1946 elections. Eventually, in the {{NZ election link|1949}}, Labour suffered electoral defeat.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=133}}Fraser died shortly afterward, and was replaced by Walter Nash, the long-serving minister of finance.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=136}} 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 the “industrial anarchy” of the 1951 waterfront dispute.WEB, The 1951 waterfront dispute,nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/the-1951-waterfront-dispute, NZHistory, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 3 July 2021, 17 May 2017, In the {{NZ election link|1957}}, however, Labour won a narrow majority of two seats, and returned to office.

Second Government (1957–1960)

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.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=152}} This resulted in the highly unpopular 1958 “Black Budget” of Arnold Nordmeyer, the new minister of finance, which raised taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, cars, and petrol.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=154}} It is widely thought{{by whom|date=May 2021}} to have doomed the party to defeat despite the economy rejuvenating less than a year after the adoption of the Black Budget.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=154}} In the {{NZ election link|1960}}, the National Party returned to power.File:Norman Kirk 1966 campaign opening.jpg|thumb|Leader Norman KirkNorman KirkThe elderly Nash retired in 1963, suffering from ill health.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=160}} Nordmeyer replaced him, but the taint of 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 {{NZ election link|1972}}, the party gained a significant majority over its rival.

Third Government (1972–1975)

Kirk proved an energetic prime minister and introduced 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 {{NZ election link|1975}}, Labour lost to the National Party, then led by Robert Muldoon.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=184}}(File:Labour L Logo.png|thumb|left|Party logo from the mid-1960s until the early 1990s)Rowling remained the leader of the Labour Party for some time after his defeat. In the {{NZ election link|1978}} and the {{NZ election link|1981}} 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.WEB, The Royal Commission,nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/fpp-to-mmp/royal-commission, 28 September 2023, nzhistory.govt.nz, en, Rowling himself 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.WEB, Wallace Rowling,nzhistory.govt.nz/people/wallace-rowling, nzhistory.govt.nz, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 16 November 2017, en, 21 August 2014, In the snap election of {{NZ election link year|1984}}, Labour decisively defeated the National Party.

Fourth Government (1984–1990)

File:David Lange (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|The free-market policies of David LangeDavid LangeWhen the Fourth Labour Government came into power it uncovered a fiscal crisis that had been largely hidden by the outgoing Third National Government.{{sfn|Miller|2005|pp=38–39}} 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.WEB, Patriated – History of the Governor-General,nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-the-governor-general/patriated, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 19 June 2017, en, The economic-policy agenda of 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.JOURNAL, Gray, Tim, Reardon, John, About Turn: An Analysis of the Causes of the New Zealand Labour Party’s Adoption of Neo-Liberal Policies 1984–1990, Political Quarterly, 2007, 78, 3, 447 455, 10.1111/j.1467-923X.2007.00872.x,eprint.ncl.ac.uk/file_store/production/28177/3E59BD56-D5F3-4E4B-A565-9C7078145D81.pdf, ENCYCLOPEDIA, Brian Easton (economist), Easton, Brian, Economic history – Government and market liberalisation,teara.govt.nz/en/economic-history/page-11, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 11 March 2010, 17 July 2020, 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 the country a nuclear-free zone, which resulted in suspension from the ANZUS alliance.BOOK, Lange, David, David Lange, Nuclear Free: The New Zealand Way, Penguin Books, 1990, New Zealand, Labour liberalised immigration policy and promoted migration from Asia.JOURNAL, Brawley, Sean, ‘No White Policy in NZ’: Fact and Fiction in New Zealand’s Asian Immigration Record, 1946–1978, New Zealand Journal of History, 1993, 27, 1, 33–36,www.nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/docs/1993/NZJH_27_1_03.pdf, 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 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.{{sfn|Holland-Boston|1988|p=?}}In {{NZ election link year|1987}} Labour won another considerable election victory against the National Party, while ruptures over 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.{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=40}} Ministers debated the extent and pace of further reforms, and there was disillusion among party members and supporters loyal to Labour’s left-wing tradition.WEB, Social welfare & the state: Labour wins the 1987 election,sites.tepapa.govt.nz/sliceofheaven/web/html/rogernomicsobject8767.html?irn=2590, sites.tepapa.govt.nz, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, en, BOOK, Vowles, Jack, Voters’ Vengeance: 1990 Election in New Zealand and the Fate of the Fourth Labour Government, 2013, Auckland University Press, 978-1869407124, 14–15,books.google.com/books?id=0UFeAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT14, en, 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.{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=40}} At 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 a vote of no confidence in his leadership.NEWS, Hubbard, Anthony, The Reluctant Prime Minister,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9433705/The-Reluctant-Prime-Minister, 24 December 2017, Stuff (website), Stuff, 23 November 2013, 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 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).JOURNAL, Vowles, Jack, The Politics of Electoral Reform in New Zealand, International Political Science Review, 1995, 16, 1, 95–115, 10.1177/019251219501600107, 1601171, 144488147,www.jstor.org/stable/1601171, 0192-5121, WEB, The road to MMP – The Royal Commission,nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/fpp-to-mmp/royal-commission, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, en, 18 June 2018, 11 February 2023, Moore himself, despite recovering sixteen seats at 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 is left-of-centre). When the {{NZ election link|1996}}, 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 the National Party to govern as a minority government from 1998 to 1999.

Fifth Government (1999–2008)

File:Helen_Clark_Visits_the_National_Assembly_for_Wales,_11_April_2012_-_Ymweliad_Helen_Clark_i_Gynulliad_Cenedlaethol_Cymru,_11_Ebrill_2012_(7083404269)_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Helen ClarkHelen ClarkAfter the {{NZ election link|1999}}, a coalition government of Labour and the Alliance took power, with Helen Clark becoming New Zealand’s second female prime minister.WEB, Helen Clark,nzhistory.govt.nz/people/helen-clark, nzhistory.govt.nz, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage., en, 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.JOURNAL, Skilling, Peter, New Zealand’s Fifth Labour Government (1999–2008): A New Partnership with Business and Society?, Labour History, 2010, 98, 39–53, 10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39, 10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39,www.jstor.org/stable/10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39, 0023-6942, NEWS, Espiner, Colin, The prime of Helen Clark - steady as she goes,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/vote-08/news/profiles-28606/633471/The-prime-of-Helen-Clark-steady-as-she-goes, 23 January 2023, Stuff, 29 July 2014, en, The Alliance, however, fell in popularity and split internally. Clark cited the Alliance split as one of the reasons for calling the {{NZ election link|2002}} several months early; Labour won comfortably.JOURNAL, Geddis, Andrew, 2004, The General Election in New Zealand, July 2002., Electoral Studies, 23, 1, 149–155, 10.1016/s0261-3794(03)00036-2, Policies of the Fifth Labour Government included the KiwiSaver scheme,WEB, KiwiSaver Act 2006 No 40 (as at 01 April 2017), Public Act Contents,www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2006/0040/latest/DLM378372.html, New Zealand Parliament, 13 June 2017, en-NZ, 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 the secondary-school qualifications system by introducing the NCEA, and the introduction of fourteen weeks’ parental leave.BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=Julc0FIsYMEC&q=new+zealand+abolished+interest+student+loans+2008&pg=PA50, Historical Dictionary of Polynesia, 978-0810867727, Craig, Robert D., 2011, Rowman & Littlefield, Labour also supported the Civil Union Act 2004, which legalised civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.WEB, Civil Union Bill – Procedure, Third Reading,www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20041209_00000803/civil-union-bill-procedure-third-reading, New Zealand Parliament, 13 June 2017, en, 9 December 2004, 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.JOURNAL, McCraw, David, New Zealand Foreign Policy Under the Clark Government: High Tide of Liberal Internationalism, Pacific Affairs, 2005, 78, 2, 217–235, 10.5509/2005782217, 40023914, 10289/8178,www.jstor.org/stable/40023914, 16 February 2024, 0030-851X, free, In 2003, the government opposed New Zealand military action in the Iraq War.NEWS, NZ made ‘right judgement’ over Iraq,www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/308164/nz-made-’right-judgement’-over-iraq, 7 July 2016, Radio New Zealand, 7 July 2016, en-nz, In early 2004 Labour came under attack in the foreshore and seabed controversy.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Barker, Fiona, Debate about the foreshore and seabed,www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/34605/debate-about-the-foreshore-and-seabed, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 13 June 2017, June 2012, Significant internal tensions within the party eventually culminated in the resignation of junior minister Tariana Turia and her establishment of the new Māori Party.NEWS, Dunne, Peter, What to do about that foreshore and seabed?,www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/3236512/What-to-do-about-that-foreshore-and-seabed, 13 June 2017, The Dominion Post (Wellington), The Dominion Post, 18 January 2010, en, (File:Labourlogo2008.png|thumb|left|Party logo in 2008)Following the {{NZ election link|2005}}, Labour formed a coalition with the Progressive Party (breakaway party of 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 the National Party soundly defeated it in the {{NZ election link|2008}}.

In opposition (2008–2017)

File:Mining Protest-4 cropped.jpg|thumb|Then-leader Phil Goff with future leader Jacinda Ardern and Carol BeaumontCarol BeaumontFollowing the loss to the National Party in the November 2008 election, Helen Clark stood down as leader of the partyNEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10541889, Clark stands down after Key wins NZ election, 8 November 2008, The New Zealand Herald, 8 November 2008, – Phil Goff succeeded her (serving from 2008–2011).NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769673, Goff resignation sparks leader race, 29 November 2011, The New Zealand Herald, 29 November 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 the political environment.Hager, Nicky, (2014). Dirty Politics: How Attack Politics in Poisoning New Zealand’s Political Environment. Nelson: Craig Potton Publishing. Goff led Labour into a second electoral defeat in {{NZ election link year|2011}} and was succeeded by David Shearer, who led the Labour parliamentary from 2011 to 2013.WEB,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9074568/David-Shearer-quits, David Shearer quits, Stuff.co.nz, 22 August 2013, 22 August 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.WEB,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9166765/Cunliffe-wins-Labour-leadership, Cunliffe wins Labour leadership, Stuff.co.nz, 15 September 2013, 15 September 2013, WEB, EIU Digital Solutions, New Labour leader chosen,country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=200964404&Country=New%20Zealand&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=Election+watch&u=1&pid=2024544386&oid=2024544386&uid=1, country.eiu.com, 4 September 2016, 17 September 2013, Most of 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 {{NZ election link year|2014}} election, Cunliffe opted to resign after initially wishing to re-contest 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.NEWS, Watkins, Tracy, Jacinda Ardern new Labour leader as Andrew Little quits,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95305769/Labour-leadership-D-day-Andrew-Littles-job-on-the-line, Stuff.co.nz, 1 August 2017, 1 August 2017, The caucus confirmed Ardern as the new Labour leader (2017–2023).NEWS, Graham, Charlotte, Jacinda Ardern Takes Over New Zealand Opposition as Election Looms,www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/world/asia/andrew-little-new-zealand-labour-party.html, 1 August 2017, The New York Times, 31 July 2017, 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 the first time in over a decade.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11922098, Little asked Ardern to lead six days before he resigned, 14 September 2017, 15 November 2017, The New Zealand Herald,

Sixth Government (2017–2023)

During the {{NZ election link|2017}}, 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,NEWS, Labour finally retake power after Winston Peters gives Jacinda Ardern his support,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97827871/labour-finally-retake-power-after-winston-peters-gives-jacinda-ardern-his-support, 19 October 2017, Stuff.co.nz, 19 October 2017, citing changing international and internal economic circumstances as the reasoning behind his decision,NEWS, Winston Peters on why he chose a Labour-led government,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11934973, The New Zealand Herald, 20 October 2017, 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.NEWS, Roy, Eleanor Ainge, Jacinda Ardern to be New Zealand’s next PM after Labour coalition deal,www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/19/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister-labour-coalition-deal-winston-peters, The Guardian, 20 October 2017, This coalition, combined with confidence and supply from the Green Party,NEWS, Green Party ratifies confidence and supply deal with Labour,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11934957, The New Zealand Herald, 19 October 2017, 19 October 2017, saw Labour return to government for the first time since 2008. Ardern became prime minister, with Peters as her deputy.NEWS, Young, Audrey, Winston Peters to become Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11936001, 10 September 2018, The New Zealand Herald, 23 October 2017, en-NZ, 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 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.NEWS, Moir, Jo, National Standards have officially ended in primary schools across the country,www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/99774465/National-Standards-have-officially-ended-in-primary-schools-across-the-country, 8 March 2018, Stuff (website), Stuff, 12 December 2017, 8 March 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180308110422/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/99774465/National-Standards-have-officially-ended-in-primary-schools-across-the-country, live, NEWS, Bracewell-Worrall, Anna, All NZ charter schools now approved to become state integrated,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/all-nz-charter-schools-now-approved-to-become-state-integrated.html, 20 March 2019, Newshub, 17 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181207143557/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/all-nz-charter-schools-now-approved-to-become-state-integrated.html, 7 December 2018, NEWS,www.nbr.co.nz/article/kiwibuild-spearheads-42-billion-capital-spending-programme-b-211193, KiwiBuild spearheads $42b capital spending programme, Paul, McBeth, National Business Review, 14 December 2017, 5 July 2018, NEWS, Oil, gas exploration move a ‘kick in the guts’ for Taranaki - mayor,www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/354816/oil-gas-exploration-move-a-kick-in-the-guts-for-taranaki-mayor, 11 April 2018, Radio New Zealand, 11 April 2018, 12 November 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191112092840/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/354816/oil-gas-exploration-move-a-kick-in-the-guts-for-taranaki-mayor, live, NEWS, Firearms Amendment Bill passes final reading in Parliament,www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/386778/firearms-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament, 10 April 2019, Radio New Zealand, 10 April 2019, 10 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190410104001/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/386778/firearms-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament, live, NEWS, Cooke, Henry, Bizarre scenes as Parliament legalises prisoner voting,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300041853/bizarre-scenes-as-parliament-legalises-prisoner-voting, 26 June 2020, Stuff (website), Stuff, 24 June 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200624224133/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300041853/bizarre-scenes-as-parliament-legalises-prisoner-voting, 24 June 2020, NEWS, Abortion Legislation Bill passes third and final reading in Parliament,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/412087/abortion-legislation-bill-passes-third-and-final-reading-in-parliament, 18 March 2020, Radio New Zealand, 18 March 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200330023938/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/412087/abortion-legislation-bill-passes-third-and-final-reading-in-parliament, 30 March 2020, The Labour Government also adopted an elimination approach towards the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, instituting lockdowns and closing the border.NEWS, Palmer, Scott, Coronavirus: New Zealand goes to COVID-19 alert level 3,www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-new-zealand-goes-to-covid-19-alert-level-3.html, 23 March 2020, Newshub, 28 March 2020, 23 March 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200323055338/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-new-zealand-goes-to-covid-19-alert-level-3.html, live, NEWS, Live - Everyone travelling to NZ from overseas to self-isolate,www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/411738/live-everyone-travelling-to-nz-from-overseas-to-self-isolate, 14 March 2020, Radio New Zealand, 14 March 2020, 18 April 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200418210801/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/411738/live-everyone-travelling-to-nz-from-overseas-to-self-isolate, live, Both Labour and Prime Minister Ardern attracted high domestic poll ratings due to their initial COVID-19 responses in 2020.NEWS,www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2020/05/21/party.html, Pressure mounts as National falls to 29%, Labour skyrockets in 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton poll, 21 May 2020, 1 News, TVNZ, 21 May 2020, 18 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201018032744/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2020/05/21/party.html, live, NEWS, Tova O’Brien, O’Brien, Tova,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/newshub-reid-research-poll-jacinda-ardern-goes-stratospheric-simon-bridges-is-annihilated.html, Newshub-Reid Research Poll: Jacinda Ardern goes stratospheric, Simon Bridges is annihilated, 18 May 2020, Newshub, MediaWorks TV, 18 May 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200521224140/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/newshub-reid-research-poll-jacinda-ardern-goes-stratospheric-simon-bridges-is-annihilated.html, 21 May 2020, live, 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 the party would co-operate with the investigation.NEWS, Devlin, Collette, Serious Fraud Office investigation into donations made to Labour Party in 2017,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122119207/serious-fraud-office-investigation-into-donations-made-to-labour-party-in-2017, 14 July 2020, Stuff (website), Stuff, 13 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200714091418/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122119207/serious-fraud-office-investigation-into-donations-made-to-labour-party-in-2017, 14 July 2020, NEWS, Hurley, Sam, Serious Fraud Office launches investigation into Labour Party donations from 2017,www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12347726, 14 July 2020, The New Zealand Herald, 13 July 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200714100107/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12347726, 14 July 2020, The 2020–2023 term saw several ministerial resignations for various indiscretions, notably Phil Twyford, Clare Curran, Meka Whaitiri and David Clark.NEWS,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/104196693/minister-phil-twyford-apologises-for-civil-aviation-breach, Minister Phil Twyford apologises for Civil Aviation breach, Watkins, Tracy, 24 May 2018, 24 May 2018, Stuff (website), Stuff, Moir, Jo, NEWS, Jacinda Ardern sacks Clare Curran from Cabinet, removes her from two portfolios after second failure to declare a meeting,www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-sacks-clare-curran-cabinet-removes-her-two-portfolios-after-second-failure-declare-meeting, 24 August 2018, 1 News, 24 August 2018, NEWS, Manch, Thomas, Cooke, Henry, Health Minister drives to local park to ride his mountain bike, amid coronavirus lockdown,www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120780372/health-minister-drives-to-local-park-to-ride-his-mountain-bike-amid-coronavirus-lockdown, 4 April 2020, Stuff (website), Stuff, 2 April 2020, In the {{NZ election link|2020}}, 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 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{{by whom|date=May 2021}} to have gained support from swing voters, many of whom had previously voted for National under John Key.WEB, Henry, Cooke, 8 August 2020,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign, Election 2020: Labour launches an extremely centrist campaign, Stuff, 22 October 2020, WEB, Mclauchlan, Danyl, 10 October 2020,thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-10-2020/labour-has-taken-the-centre-is-it-a-trap/, Labour has taken the centre. Is it a trap?, The Spinoff, 22 October 2020, WEB, Shaw, Richard, 19 October 2020,theconversation.com/labours-single-party-majority-is-not-a-failure-of-mmp-it-is-a-sign-nzs-electoral-system-is-working-148328, Labour’s single-party majority is not a failure of MMP, it is a sign NZ’s electoral system is working, The Conversation, 22 October 2020, 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 a key feature of Labour’s 2017 election campaign.WEB, Mitchell, Jonathan,www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/434380/urgent-government-intervention-needed-to-address-housing-supply-shortage-economists, Urgent government intervention needed to address housing supply shortage – economists, 12 January 2021, 12 January 2021, Radio New Zealand, 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 the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009, repealing “three strikes” legislation, and banning live animal exports.NEWS, McClure, Tess, New Zealand unveils $8,600 subsidy for electric vehicles to reduce emissions,www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/14/new-zealand-unveils-8600-subsidy-for-electric-vehicles-to-reduce-emissions, 14 June 2021, The Guardian, 14 June 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210614224431/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/14/new-zealand-unveils-8600-subsidy-for-electric-vehicles-to-reduce-emissions, 14 June 2021, live, NEWS, Green, Kate, Matariki Public Holiday Bill has first reading in Parliament,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300420056/matariki-public-holiday-bill-has-first-reading-in-parliament, 1 October 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 30 September 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211001001834/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300420056/matariki-public-holiday-bill-has-first-reading-in-parliament, 1 October 2021, live, NEWS, 15 February 2022, Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes,www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes, 21 February 2022, Radio New Zealand, en-nz,web.archive.org/web/20220218050733/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes, 18 February 2022, live, NEWS, New Health System Act passes third reading in Parliament,www.1news.co.nz/2022/06/08/new-health-system-act-passes-third-reading-in-parliament/, 10 June 2022, 1 News, TVNZ, 8 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220607184346/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/06/08/new-health-system-act-passes-third-reading-in-parliament/, 7 June 2022, live, NEWS, Huang, Christina, Parliament votes to scrap three strikes law,www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/09/parliament-votes-to-scrap-three-strikes-law/, 10 August 2022, 1 News, TVNZ, 9 August 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220810025038/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/09/parliament-votes-to-scrap-three-strikes-law/, 10 August 2022, NEWS, Government passes bill to ban livestock exports by sea,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475676/government-passes-bill-to-ban-livestock-exports-by-sea, 29 September 2022, Radio New Zealand, 28 September 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220928070652/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475676/government-passes-bill-to-ban-livestock-exports-by-sea, 28 September 2022, live, 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 the Israel-Hamas War.WEB, Ardern, Jacinda, Mahuta, Nanaia, Aotearoa New Zealand condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine,www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aotearoa-new-zealand-condemns-russian-invasion-ukraine, Beehive.govt.nz, New Zealand Government, 25 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220225113349/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aotearoa-new-zealand-condemns-russian-invasion-ukraine, 25 February 2022, 24 February 2022, live, NEWS, Parliament unanimously passes Russia Sanctions Bill,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/463022/parliament-unanimously-passes-russia-sanctions-bill, 11 March 2022, Radio New Zealand, 9 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220309155948/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/463022/parliament-unanimously-passes-russia-sanctions-bill, 9 March 2022, live, NEWS, New Zealand signs free trade deal with UK to eliminate all tariffs for NZ exports,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/462488/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-uk-to-eliminate-all-tariffs-for-nz-exports, 3 March 2022, Radio New Zealand, 1 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220301032043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/462488/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-uk-to-eliminate-all-tariffs-for-nz-exports, 1 March 2022, live, NEWS, Patterson, Jane, New Zealand signs free trade deal with European Union after years of negotiations,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/493457/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-european-union-after-years-of-negotiations, 10 July 2023, Radio New Zealand, 10 July 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230709205658/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/493457/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-european-union-after-years-of-negotiations, 9 July 2023, live, 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).NEWS, Scotcher, Katie, Māori wards amendment bill passes final reading in Parliament,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament, 24 February 2021, Radio New Zealand, 24 February 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210224112233/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament, 24 February 2021, live, NEWS, Manch, Thomas, Government pushes ahead with Three Waters reform, will take water services from councils,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126797566/government-pushes-ahead-with-three-waters-reform-will-take-water-services-from-councils, 27 October 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 27 October 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211027044310/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126797566/government-pushes-ahead-with-three-waters-reform-will-take-water-services-from-councils, 27 October 2021, live, NEWS, Government announces team leading new Health NZ and Māori Health Authority,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/452106/government-announces-team-leading-new-health-nz-and-maori-health-authority, 25 September 2021, Radio New Zealand, 23 September 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210923143232/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/452106/government-announces-team-leading-new-health-nz-and-maori-health-authority, 23 September 2021, live, Following a major COVID-19 outbreak in August 2021,NEWS, 17 August 2021, Covid-19 coronavirus: New Zealand going into lockdown - what you can and can’t do under level 4,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-new-zealand-going-into-lockdown-what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-level-4/67ZNV2LOA2HXOGHTJAUES5I77I/, live,web.archive.org/web/20210817073650/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-new-zealand-going-into-lockdown-what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-level-4/67ZNV2LOA2HXOGHTJAUES5I77I/, 17 August 2021, 17 August 2021, The New Zealand Herald, the Labour Government abandoned its elimination strategy and gradually eased lockdown, border restrictions, vaccine mandates and masking requirements between 2021 and 2022.NEWS, Corlett, Eva, New Zealand Covid elimination strategy to be phased out, Ardern says,www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision, 4 October 2021, The Guardian, 4 October 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211004002428/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision, 4 October 2021, live, NEWS, New Zealand border reopening fully from end of July,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/466864/new-zealand-border-reopening-fully-from-end-of-july, 12 May 2022, Radio New Zealand, 11 May 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220511020352/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/466864/new-zealand-border-reopening-fully-from-end-of-july, 11 May 2022, live, NEWS, Covid-19 traffic light system scrapped: All you need to know,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-traffic-light-system-scrapped-all-you-need-to-know/2U5IN5GLHEUGLEHS6C43ZE3W4E/, 12 September 2022, The New Zealand Herald, 12 September 2022, During that period, growing opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates led to 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.NEWS, Satherley, Dan, Anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom booted off Facebook for spreading COVID-19 misinformation,www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/anti-vaccination-group-voices-for-freedom-booted-off-facebook-for-spreading-covid-19-misinformation.html, 20 November 2021, Newshub, 29 July 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211109235345/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/anti-vaccination-group-voices-for-freedom-booted-off-facebook-for-spreading-covid-19-misinformation.html, 9 November 2021, live, NEWS, Somerville, Troes, Covid-19: Destiny Church denies making profit from protest group’s anti-lockdown merchandise,www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/126840776/covid19-destiny-church-denies-making-profit-from-protest-groups-antilockdown-merchandise, 9 November 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 2 November 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211105015310/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/126840776/covid19-destiny-church-denies-making-profit-from-protest-groups-antilockdown-merchandise, 5 November 2021, live, WEB, Spoonley, Paul, The extremism visible at the parliament protest has been growing in NZ for years – is enough being done?,theconversation.com/the-extremism-visible-at-the-parliament-protest-has-been-growing-in-nz-for-years-is-enough-being-done-177831, 1 March 2022, 2 March 2022, The Conversation (website), The Conversation, en,web.archive.org/web/20220301190134/https://theconversation.com/the-extremism-visible-at-the-parliament-protest-has-been-growing-in-nz-for-years-is-enough-being-done-177831, 1 March 2022, live, On 19 January 2023, Ardern announced her resignation as party leader and therefore prime minister.NEWS, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigning in February, announces election 2023 will be held on October 14, en, Newshub,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-announces-election-2023-will-be-held-on-october-14.html, 19 January 2023, In the resultant leadership election Chris Hipkins was the only candidate and was confirmed as the new Labour leader on 22 January.NEWS, Daalder, Marc, Hipkins promises focus on ‘bread and butter issues’,www.newsroom.co.nz/page/labour-mps-gather-to-choose-new-pm, 22 January 2023, Newsroom, 22 January 2023, en-AU, 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.NEWS, New PM spreads $718m in ‘bread and butter’ cost-of-living support,insidegovernment.co.nz/new-pm-spreads-718m-in-bread-and-butter-cost-of-living-support/, 3 February 2023, Inside Government NZ, JSL Media, 1 February 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230203235633/https://insidegovernment.co.nz/new-pm-spreads-718m-in-bread-and-butter-cost-of-living-support/, 3 February 2023, live, NEWS, Watch: TVNZ/RNZ merger scrapped, income insurance and hate speech laws delayed,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/483875/watch-tvnz-rnz-merger-scrapped-income-insurance-and-hate-speech-laws-delayed, 8 February 2023, Radio New Zealand, 8 February 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230208041638/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/483875/watch-tvnz-rnz-merger-scrapped-income-insurance-and-hate-speech-laws-delayed, 8 February 2023, live, Hipkins’ government also responded to two natural disasters, the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated Auckland and the east coast of the North Island.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/auckland-northland-flooding-cabinet-re-shuffle-announced-pm-hipkins-to-address-state-of-emergency/TJOIAGWMO5A7BPTONEPN454HHE/, Cabinet reshuffle: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins unveils new line-up; Government response to Auckland flooding, Michael, Neilson, 31 January 2023, The New Zealand Herald, 31 January 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230131114432/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/auckland-northland-flooding-cabinet-re-shuffle-announced-pm-hipkins-to-address-state-of-emergency/TJOIAGWMO5A7BPTONEPN454HHE/, 31 January 2023, live, WEB, McAnulty, Kieran, State of National Emergency Declared,www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-national-emergency-declared, Beehive.govt.nz, New Zealand Government, 14 February 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230214025516/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-national-emergency-declared, 14 February 2023, 14 February 2023, live, NEWS, PM’s policy bonfire: Voting age bill, transport schemes ‘reprioritsed’,www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/13/pms-policy-bonfire-voting-age-bill-transport-schemes-reprioritsed/, 14 March 2023, 1 News, TVNZ, 13 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230313035738/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/13/pms-policy-bonfire-voting-age-bill-transport-schemes-reprioritsed/, 13 March 2023, live, Prior to the dissolution of Parliament, the Labour Government passed two laws as part of efforts to replace the Resource Management Act 1991.NEWS, RMA replacement bills pass third readings in Parliament,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/495939/rma-replacement-bills-pass-third-readings-in-parliament, 7 February 2024, Radio New Zealand, 16 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231227011740/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/495939/rma-replacement-bills-pass-third-readings-in-parliament, 27 December 2023, NEWS, Pearse, Adam, Nightingale, Melissa, 24 July 2023, Justice Minister Kiri Allan’s arrest and resignation: PM details ‘difficult’ conversation,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/justice-minister-kiri-allans-arrest-and-resignation-absolutely-devastating-colleagues-reacts/Z2FN24JOKJHZZJJJH32WB4FEMA/, 24 July 2023, The New Zealand Herald, en-NZ, 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.NEWS, Scotcher, Katie, Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma expelled from Labour caucus,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/473325/hamilton-west-mp-gaurav-sharma-expelled-from-labour-caucus, 23 August 2022, Radio New Zealand, 23 August 2022, NEWS,thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/28-03-2023/in-full-the-pms-statement-on-nash-sacking, In full: The PM’s statement on Nash sacking, The Spinoff, 28 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230404171928/https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/28-03-2023/in-full-the-pms-statement-on-nash-sacking, 4 April 2023, live, NEWS, Michael Wood ordered to apologise to Parliament over shareholdings,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496413/michael-wood-ordered-to-apologise-to-parliament-over-shareholdings, 26 September 2023, Radio New Zealand, 23 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230829043555/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496413/michael-wood-ordered-to-apologise-to-parliament-over-shareholdings, 29 August 2023, live, NEWS, Jan Tinetti made error of judgement that misled Parliament, Privileges committee finds,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/492852/jan-tinetti-made-error-of-judgement-that-misled-parliament-privileges-committee-finds, 29 June 2023, Radio New Zealand, 29 June 2023, en-nz, The 2023 NZ general election, held on 14 October 2023, saw the Labour government lose its majority to the opposition National Party.NEWS, McConnell, Glenn, 15 October 2023, Who’s coming and going in Parliament after seismic election result,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133123170/whos-coming-and-going-in-parliament-after-seismic-election-result, 15 October 2023, Stuff (website), Stuff, en,web.archive.org/web/20231020212614/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133123170/whos-coming-and-going-in-parliament-after-seismic-election-result, 20 October 2023, live, Based on final results, Labour’s share of the popular vote declined to 26.91% while its share of Parliamentary seats dropped to 34.WEB, Official count – Overall Results,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 20 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231107112928/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/, 7 November 2023, 3 November 2023, live, WEB, 2023 General Election: Successful candidates,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 20 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231117114239/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html, 17 November 2023, 3 November 2023, live,

In opposition, 2023–present

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.NEWS, Thomas, Coughlan, Adam, Pearse, Chris Hipkins stays as Labour leader, Carmel Sepuloni takes over deputy from Kelvin Davis,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-leadership-vote-chris-hipkins-to-reveal-whether-hes-staying-on/E4WDBFVSWBFXHMOE2Y37ILJYFA/, 7 November 2023, The New Zealand Herald, 30 November 2023, en, 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 the party list.NEWS, Labour reshuffle: Edmonds moves up as Finance spokesperson,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509662/labour-reshuffle-edmonds-moves-up-as-finance-spokesperson, 20 February 2024, Radio New Zealand, 20 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240220002535/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509662/labour-reshuffle-edmonds-moves-up-as-finance-spokesperson, 20 February 2024, WEB, Rilkoff, Matthew, 19 February 2024, Former New Plymouth Labour MP Glen Bennett back in Parliament,www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350185932/former-new-plymouth-labour-mp-glen-bennett-back-parliament, 22 February 2024, Stuff (website), Stuff,web.archive.org/web/20240224000049/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350185932/former-new-plymouth-labour-mp-glen-bennett-back-parliament, 24 February 2024, live, In February 2024, Labour reversed its previous support for New Zealand entering the non-nuclear component of the AUKUS, with foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford describing it as an “offensive warfighting alliance against China.“NEWS, Pennington, Phil, AUKUS a military pact designed to contain China, says Labour,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508926/aukus-a-military-pact-designed-to-contain-china-says-labour, 15 February 2024, Radio New Zealand, 12 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240214085413/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508926/aukus-a-military-pact-designed-to-contain-china-says-labour, 14 February 2024, live, In April 2024, Labour called for New Zealand to recognise Palestinian statehood.NEWS, Manch, Thomas, Labour calls for the Government to recognise Palestine,www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350253770/labour-calls-government-recognise-palestine, 23 April 2024, The Post (New Zealand), The Post, 22 April 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240423122126/https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350253770/labour-calls-government-recognise-palestine, 23 April 2024,

Ideology

The New Zealand Labour Party’s founding 1916 policy objectives called for “the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange”, including state ownership of major parts of the economy, and increased rights for workers.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Aimer, Peter, Labour Party: Ideology and the role of unions,www.teara.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-5, (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand), 1 June 2015, 13 December 2016, While the socialist objective attracted support from some members, it also became a target for opponents who portrayed Labour as an extremist party. In the aftermath of World War II, Labour prioritised national unity over societal divisions, but after their defeat in {{NZ election link year|1949}}, many party members perceived the socialist objective as outdated and a hindrance to electoral success, leading to its abolition in 1951. The party transformed into a moderate social-democratic party, focusing on reform within the democratic framework while maintaining ties with trade unions.BOOK, Clive Bean, New Zealand, Mark N. Franklin, Thomas T. Mackie, Henry Valen, Electoral Change: Responses to Evolving Social and Attitudinal Structures in Western Countries,books.google.com/books?id=HcNMAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA285, 2009, ECPR Press, 978-0-9558203-1-1, 285, BOOK, Rodney Smith, Ariadne Vromen, Ian Cook, Keywords in Australian Politics,books.google.com/books?id=pMSTxLmZaw0C&pg=PA177, 2006, Cambridge University Press, 978-0-521-67283-2, 177, By the late 1980s, the Labour Party had undergone significant ideological changes, leading to policies that frequently conflicted with the goals and interests of the union movement. The Labour Government of the 1980s deviated sharply from a social-democratic path; in a series of economic reforms, the government removed a swathe of regulations and subsidies, privatised state assets, and introduced corporate practices to state services.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Labour Party: Fourth and fifth Labour governments,www.teara.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-4, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 13 December 2016, The party’s constitution and platform programme maintains its founding principle as democratic socialism,WEB,d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nzlabour/pages/3956/attachments/original/1576012198/NZLP_Inc_-_Constitution___Rules_-_2019.pdf, New Zealand Labour Party Constitution and Rules 2019, New Zealand Labour Party, 30 November 2019, The Party accepts the following democratic socialist principles [...]., 7 January 2020, while observers describe Labour’s policies as social-democratic and pragmatic in practice. From the 1990s onwards, Labour has again aimed to use the power of the state to try to achieve a “fairer and more equal society”, based on a mixed economy in which both the state and private enterprise play a part. Subsequently, the party has also been described as embracing certain social-liberal policies.BOOK, Political Science, 49–50, 98, 1997, Jack, Vowles, BOOK, 34, 56, Routledge, 2016, Michael, Scott, Making New Zealand’s Pop Renaissance: State, Markets, Musicians,

Principles

According to its current constitution, the party accepts democratic socialist principles, including:WEB,web.archive.org/web/20140714150844/https://www.labourparty.org.nz/sites/default/files/2014%20Constitution.pdf,www.labourparty.org.nz/sites/default/files/2014%20Constitution.pdf, Labour: Constitution and Rules, 2014, NZ Labour Party, 4, 14 July 2014, 11 June 2014, The Party accepts the following democratic socialist principles – g. All political authority comes from the people by democratic means, including universal suffrage, regular and free elections with a secret ballot. h. The natural resources of New Zealand belong to all the people and these resources, and in particular non-renewable resources, should be managed for the benefit of all, including future generations. i. All people should have equal access to all social, economic, cultural, political and legal spheres, regardless of wealth or social position, and continuing participation in the democratic process. j. Co-operation, rather than competition, should be the main governing factor in economic relations, in order that a greater amount and a just distribution of wealth can be ensured. k. All people are entitled to dignity, self-respect and the opportunity to work. l. All people, either individually or in groups, may own wealth or property for their own use, but in any conflict of interest people are always more important than property, and the state must ensure a just distribution of wealth. m. Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand, and that the Treaty should be honoured in the Party, government, society and the whanau. n. Peace and social justice should be promoted throughout the world by international co-operation and mutual respect. o. The same basic human rights, protected by the State, apply to all people, regardless of race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious faith, political belief or disability.,
  • The management of New Zealand’s natural resources for the benefit of all, including future generations.
  • Equal access to all social, economic, cultural, political, and legal spheres, regardless of wealth or social position.
  • Co-operation as the main governing factor in economic relations, to ensure a just distribution of wealth.
  • Universal rights to dignity, self-respect, and the opportunity to work.
  • The right to wealth and property, subject to the provisos of regarding people as always more important than property and the obligations of the state to ensure a just distribution of wealth.
  • Honouring / the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand.
  • The promotion of peace and social justice throughout the world by international co-operation.
  • Equality in human rights regardless of race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious faith, political belief or disability.

Voter base

Historically, the party drew upon a stable sectional voter base comprising the urban working class, predominantly manual labourers and trade unionists. From the 1930s onwards, Labour has increasingly positioned itself as a broad-based party by responding and adapting to different social and economic problems and changing demographics (appealing to an expanding migrant population and a diversified ethnic, social make-up). Beginning in the 1980s, there was a shift away from class-issues and towards the promotion of individual freedoms, particularly for members of disadvantaged groups such as women and Māori. The modern party’s core support base lies among young people, urban workers, civil servants, and minorities (particularly the Māori and Pasifika communities).NEWS, Bracewell-Worrall, Anna, What the data tells us: Māori and Pacific voters throw support behind Labour,www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/what-the-data-tells-us-m-ori-and-pacific-voters-throw-support-behind-labour.html, 6 May 2018, Newshub, 10 February 2017, BOOK, Vowles, Jack, Towards Consensus?: The 1993 Election and Referendum in New Zealand and the Transition to Proportional Representation, 2013, Auckland University Press, 978-1869407162, 20–23,books.google.com/books?id=G0JeAwAAQBAJ,

Organisation

Party structure

General and special branches

Party membership is tied into geographically-based branches in each parliamentary electorate. General branches must consist of at least 10 members aged 15 or over.WEB, Constitution and Rules,www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/parties/rules/labour_party_constitution_2015.pdf, New Zealand Labour Party, 13 June 2017, July 2016, Members may also form special branches where they have a special community of interest (such as university students and academics, young people, women, Māori people, Pasifika, multicultural groups, people with disabilities, the LGBT community, and industrial workers). Influential branches include Princes Street Labour (this Auckland university branch is described as the “ideological powerhouse of the party”,WEB, Princes Street,www.younglabour.org.nz/princes_street, New Zealand Young Labour, 13 June 2017, en, and has contributed many prominent Labour politicians) and Vic Labour (the Victoria University of Wellington branch).WEB, VicLabour,www.younglabour.org.nz/viclabour, New Zealand Young Labour, 13 June 2017, en, (File:New Zealand Labour Party membership.png|thumb|upright=1.25|As this graph (compiled from multiple sources spanning 1917 to 2002) shows, the party’s membership has fluctuated greatly, broadly in line with the terms of office of Labour governments)Membership figures are rarely released to the public. Full (non-affiliate) membership is known to have peaked at 55,000 in 1976. During the 1980s and 1990s, party membership plummeted to levels not seen since before the First Labour Government. This decline might be attributed to disillusionment on the part of some members with the economic policies of the Fourth Labour Government (“Rogernomics“). Membership figures began to recover under Helen Clark’s leadership, with 14,000 members recorded in 2002.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Peter, Aimer, Labour Party – Ideology and the role of unions: Labour Party membership, 1917–2002,www.teara.govt.nz/en/graph/34047/labour-party-membership-1917-2002, (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand), 13 June 2017,

Conference, councils and committees

Delegates from all branches in the electorate, together with delegates from affiliated unions, make up the Labour Electorate Committee (LEC). The LEC is responsible for party organisation in the electorate. The party is divided into six regional areas, which each year convene a Regional Conference.ENCYCLOPEDIA, Aimer, Peter, Labour Party – Organisation of the Labour Party,www.teara.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-7, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 13 June 2017, 20 June 2012, Policy and other matters are debated and passed onto the Annual Conference.The Annual Conference (called Congress in election years) is the supreme governing body of the Labour Party when it is in session. All constituent bodies of the party are entitled to send delegates to Annual Conference.The New Zealand Council is the Labour Party’s governing executive. It ensures that the party is governed effectively according to its constitution. The NZ Council consists of the president, two senior vice presidents (one of which must be Māori), three vice presidents (representing women, affiliates, and Pacific Islanders), seven regional representatives, one Policy Council representative, three Caucus representatives, and the general secretary.The Policy Council, responsible for the development of the policy platform and election manifesto, is elected for a three-year term following each general election. The party structure also provides for Special Interest Group Councils: representing the affiliates, women’s issues, Māori issues, Pacific Islands, primary industries, local government, and youth.{{Anchor|Caucus}}

Caucus and parliamentary leadership

File:Chris Hipkins NZ Labour (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Leader Chris HipkinsChris HipkinsThe elected members representing the Labour Party in the House of Representatives meet as the Parliamentary Labour Party, also called the Caucus. The current parliamentary leader is Chris Hipkins (since 22 January 2023).NEWS, Ardern hands over party leadership as Hipkins is endorsed to become next PM,www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-22/chris-hipkins-formally-elected-new-zealand-prime-minister/101880358, 23 January 2023, ABC News (Australia), ABC News, 22 January 2023, en-AU, A leadership election is triggered upon the vacancy of the position of leader or a motion of no confidence. Candidates are nominated from within the Caucus. Under Labour Party rules, party members have 40% of the votes, MPs have another 40% of the votes, and affiliated unions have 20% of the votes. Some observers{{who|date=April 2020}} have criticised the influence of the unions in leadership elections.

Affiliated trade unions

In the first decades of the 20th century, manufacturing industries grew strongly in New Zealand’s main cities and union membership also increased. The Labour Party was formed in this period as the political wing of the labour movement and was financed by trade unions. Since then, the unions have retained close institutional links with the party. In 2023 there were 11 affiliated unions, which paid a levy to the party based on the size of their own memberships. Generally, members of these unions are also affiliated members of the Labour Party. Affiliates receive a percentage of the vote in party leadership elections.NEWS, Opinion: Unions rip off Labour leadership,www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/opinion-unions-rip-off-labour-leadership-2014111910, 13 June 2017, Newshub, 18 November 2014, In addition, the president of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions continues to speak at the Labour Party Annual Conference.WEB,www.labour.org.nz/conference-2012, Conference 2012 – New Zealand Labour Party, dead,www.labour.org.nz/conference-2012," title="web.archive.org/web/20121120005216www.labour.org.nz/conference-2012,">web.archive.org/web/20121120005216www.labour.org.nz/conference-2012, 20 November 2012,

Young Labour

Young Labour is the party’s youth wing. It exists to organise young party members (and young members of affiliated unions) aged under 30,WEB, The Constitution of New Zealand Young Labour,ucsa.org.nz/resourcehandler/0ea95630-56de-415e-8020-286c7309d5c9/, New Zealand Young Labour, PDF, 5 November 2021, University of Canterbury Student Association, 9 February 2023, and encourage wider involvement of young New Zealanders in centre-left politics. Young Labour is the most active sector in the Labour Party and plays a significant role in policy development and campaign efforts. It is endearingly called the “conscience of the party”.NEWS, Young, gifted and politically aware,www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/hutt-news/703584/Young-gifted-and-politically-aware, 13 June 2017, Stuff.co.nz, 4 November 2008, en, In March 2018, it was reported that four people under 16 were allegedly sexually assaulted at a Young Labour summer camp in February. The camp was said to have “mountains of alcohol”, and people under the legal drinking age of 18 were said to have consumed alcohol. Although Young Labour and the Labour Party were aware of the allegations, party leadership failed to tell the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. The party offered counselling and support after the allegations were publicly reported.NEWS, ‘We failed in our duty of care’ – Labour leadership,www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/352475/we-failed-in-our-duty-of-care-labour-leadership, 29 September 2018, Radio New Zealand, 14 March 2018, en-nz, NEWS, ‘We took too long’ – Jacinda Ardern on alleged sex assaults at Young Labour camp,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/labour-confirms-inappropriate-behaviour-after-sexual-assault-claims.html, 29 September 2018, Newshub, 13 March 2018, en, An independent review into the party’s conduct and sexual assault complaint policy was announced by Party President Nigel Haworth, and was completed late August. The party has declined to release the report to the public.NEWS, Bennett, Lucy, Jacinda Ardern defends not releasing Austen report into Labour summer camp,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12115727, 29 September 2018, The New Zealand Herald, 29 August 2018, en-NZ,

Local government

Labour Party members, including current and former MPs, have contested various local government positions throughout New Zealand during local body elections. While several have stood as Labour Party candidates, others have contested the elections as independent politicians.

Auckland

Labour has contested the Auckland local body elections alongside City Vision, a left-leaning electoral ticket representing the local Labour, Green parties and other progressives.WEB, About us,cityvision.org.nz/meet-us/about-us/, City Vision, 13 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221019215354/https://cityvision.org.nz/meet-us/about-us/, 19 October 2022, live, Following the 2022 Auckland local elections, the Auckland Council had four councillors serving under the Labour ticket and one serving under the affiliated City Vision ticket.WEB, Ward councillor official results,www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-ward-councillors.aspx, 13 November 2022, Auckland Council,web.archive.org/web/20221024073033/https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-ward-councillors.aspx, 24 October 2022, live, In addition, 26 Labour Party candidates were elected to local community boards across Auckland while four Labour candidates were elected to local licensing trusts in the Auckland Region. Meanwhile, seven City Vision local board members and three City Vision liquor licensing trust members were also elected.WEB, Local board member official results,www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-local-board-members.aspx, Auckland Council, 13 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221010173923/https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-local-board-members.aspx, 10 October 2022, live, WEB, Licensing trustee official results,www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-licensing-trustees.aspx, Auckland Council, 13 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221018175942/https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections/elections-2022-results/Pages/results-licensing-trustees.aspx, 18 October 2022, live, Former Labour MP and cabinet minister Phil Goff served as mayor of Auckland for two terms between 2016 and 2022.WEB, 14 February 2022, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff announces he will retire from politics,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/461459/auckland-mayor-phil-goff-announces-he-will-retire-from-politics, 13 February 2022, Radio New Zealand, en-nz,web.archive.org/web/20220310180915/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/461459/auckland-mayor-phil-goff-announces-he-will-retire-from-politics, 10 March 2022, live, WEB, 13 February 2022, Auckland mayoralty: Phil Goff stepping down at end of term, retiring from politics,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/127762042/auckland-mayoralty-phil-goff-stepping-down-at-end-of-term-retiring-from-politics, 13 February 2022, Stuff (website), Stuff, en,web.archive.org/web/20220330053701/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/127762042/auckland-mayoralty-phil-goff-stepping-down-at-end-of-term-retiring-from-politics, 30 March 2022, live,

Christchurch

In Christchurch, former Labour MP and cabinet minister Lianne Dalziel served for three terms as mayor between 2013 and 2022. She ran as an independentPRESS RELEASE, Elections 2013: Final declaration of results,ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2013/201310181.aspx, Christchurch City Council, 20 October 2013, 18 October 2013, dead,ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2013/201310181.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20131022215008ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2013/201310181.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20131022215008ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2013/201310181.aspx, 22 October 2013, NEWS, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel will not seek another term,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-mayor-lianne-dalziel-will-not-seek-another-term/IZXL6BV4QZIOUPPOE5KINFUSSQ/, 1 July 2021, The New Zealand Herald, 1 July 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210821055159/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-mayor-lianne-dalziel-will-not-seek-another-term/IZXL6BV4QZIOUPPOE5KINFUSSQ/, 21 August 2021, live, Within the Christchurch City Council, Labour maintains an umbrella, including community independents called The People’s Choice (formerly Christchurch 2021).NEWS, Stylianou, Georgina, Left-aligned People’s Choice gearing up for Christchurch’s local body elections,www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/80528925/leftaligned-peoples-choice-gearing-up-for-christchurchs-local-body-elections?rm=m, 9 November 2022, The Press (Christchurch), The Press, Stuff (company), Stuff, 30 May 2016,web.archive.org/web/20221109000734/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/80528925/leftaligned-peoples-choice-gearing-up-for-christchurchs-local-body-elections?rm=m, 9 November 2022, live, During the 2019 Christchurch local elections, People’s Choice candidates held 10 community board seats, seven council seats, and several community board chairmanships.NEWS, Law, Tina, Christchurch’s city council now has three twenty-somethings and slightly more women,www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/116542034/christchurchs-city-council-now-has-three-twentysomethings-and-slightly-more-women, 9 November 2022, Stuff (website), Stuff, 13 October 2019,web.archive.org/web/20221010035046/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/116542034/christchurchs-city-council-now-has-three-twentysomethings-and-slightly-more-women, 10 October 2022, live,

Dunedin

On 26 February 2016, Dunedin city councillor and former Labour MP David Benson-Pope announced that he would be contesting the Dunedin local elections in October under the “Local Labour” ticket. While still a Labour Party member, Benson Pope had stood in the 2013 local elections as an independent candidate. This report coincided with the dissolution of the city’s main local body ticket, the centre-left Greater Dunedin group.NEWS, Morris, Chris, Greater Dunedin disbands,www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/374454/greater-dunedin-disbands, 8 November 2022, Otago Daily Times, 26 February 2016,web.archive.org/web/20211028074330/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/greater-dunedin-disbands, 28 October 2021, live, On 20 April, it was reported that the Labour Party had dropped its plan to field a bloc of candidates in the 2016 Dunedin elections. However, the party has not ruled out endorsing other candidates.NEWS, Elder, Vaughan, No Labour ticket; Hawkins, Vandervis declare hand,www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/380331/no-labour-ticket-hawkins-vandervis-declare-hand, 8 November 2022, Otago Daily Times, 20 April 2016,www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/380331/no-labour-ticket-hawkins-vandervis-declare-hand," title="web.archive.org/web/20211011025803www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/380331/no-labour-ticket-hawkins-vandervis-declare-hand,">web.archive.org/web/20211011025803www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/380331/no-labour-ticket-hawkins-vandervis-declare-hand, 11 October 2021, live, During the 2019 local elections, Steve Walker and Marian Hobbs were elected to the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council respectively on Labour Party tickets.WEB, 2019 Election results,www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/past-election-results/2019-election-results/2019-election-results-dunedin-city-council#:~:text=Aaron%20HAWKINS%20is%20declared%20elected,votes%20and%20504%20blank%20votes., Dunedin City Council, 9 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220925001020/https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/past-election-results/2019-election-results/2019-election-results-dunedin-city-council, 25 September 2022, live, NEWS, Hudson, Daisy, Hobbs, Wilson elected on to Otago Regional Council,www.odt.co.nz/regions/hobbs-wilson-elected-otago-regional-council, 9 November 2022, Otago Daily Times, 12 October 2019,web.archive.org/web/20220705212417/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/hobbs-wilson-elected-otago-regional-council, 5 July 2022, live, Hobbs subsequently resigned from the Otago Regional Council in November 2021.NEWS,www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/marian-hobbs-resigns-orc, Marian Hobbs resigns from ORC, Daisy, Hudson, 1 November 2021, Otago Daily Times, 9 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220522173728/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/marian-hobbs-resigns-orc, 22 May 2022, live, During the 2022 Dunedin local elections, Steve Walker and Joy Davis stood as Labour candidates for the Dunedin City Council. While Walker was re-elected, Davis failed to win a seat.WEB, 2022 Election results,www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2022-election-results, Dunedin City Council, 9 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221103233810/https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2022-election-results, 3 November 2022, 31 October 2022, live,

New Plymouth

In New Plymouth, former MP Harry Duynhoven served as mayor from 2010 to 2013, when he was defeated by Andrew Judd.NEWS,www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9276437/Andrew-Judd-mayor-of-New-Plymouth, Andrew Judd mayor of New Plymouth, Rilkoff, Matt, 12 October 2013, 9 November 2022, Taranaki Daily News, Stuff (company), Stuff,www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9276437/Andrew-Judd-mayor-of-New-Plymouth," title="web.archive.org/web/20150924170521www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9276437/Andrew-Judd-mayor-of-New-Plymouth,">web.archive.org/web/20150924170521www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9276437/Andrew-Judd-mayor-of-New-Plymouth, 24 September 2015, live,

Palmerston North

Beginning in 2016, the Labour Party began contesting the Palmerston North local elections, ending a long tradition of keeping national party political affiliations out of local government bodies. During the 2016 local elections, Lorna Johnson was elected on the Labour Party ticket to the Palmerston North City Council. During the 2019 local elections, she was joined by Zulfiqar Butt, who also stood on the Labour ticket.NEWS, Rankin, Janine, Labour and the Greens look for more local body candidates,www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/127457597/labour-and-the-greens-look-for-more-local-body-candidates, 13 November 2022, Manawatu Standard, Stuff (company), Stuff, 9 January 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221020111041/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/127457597/labour-and-the-greens-look-for-more-local-body-candidates, 20 October 2022, During the 2022 local elections, Johnson was re-elected to the Palmerston North City Council but Butt was defeated.NEWS, Lacy, Judith, Grant Smith easily re-elected as Palmerston North mayor,www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/grant-smith-easily-re-elected-as-palmerston-north-mayor/73ZNG6OST4RQ24YHX42UFUIUEY/, 13 November 2022, The New Zealand Herald, 11 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221025020142/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/grant-smith-easily-re-elected-as-palmerston-north-mayor/73ZNG6OST4RQ24YHX42UFUIUEY/, 25 October 2022, live,

Rotorua

Former {{NZ electorate link|Rotorua}} electorate then Labour list MP Steve Chadwick, was elected as mayor of Rotorua in the 2013 elections. She stood as an independent.NEWS, Martin, Matthew, Election 2013: Steve Chadwick is ready for action,www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/election-2013-steve-chadwick-is-ready-for-action/Z2MQRJ4YHWFSOJVWGTRWNQ6JN4/, 8 November 2022, Rotorua Daily Post, NZME, 12 October 2013,web.archive.org/web/20221108232843/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/election-2013-steve-chadwick-is-ready-for-action/Z2MQRJ4YHWFSOJVWGTRWNQ6JN4/, 8 November 2022, live, She served for three terms before resigning in 2022.NEWS, Desmarais, Felix,www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/447833/rotorua-mayor-steve-chadwick-to-stand-down-after-next-election, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick to stand down after next election, 28 July 2021, Radio New Zealand, 8 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220731200600/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/447833/rotorua-mayor-steve-chadwick-to-stand-down-after-next-election, 31 July 2022, live,

Wellington Region

During the 2022 Wellington local elections, four Labour Party councillors were elected: Ben McNulty – Northern Ward, Rebecca Matthews – Onslow-Western Ward, Teri O’Neill – Eastern Ward, and Nureddin Abdurahman – Southern Ward. Labour MP Paul Eagle unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Wellington City mayoral election but came third place.WEB, Wellington City Council: 2022 Triennial Elections,wellington.govt.nz/-/media/your-council/elections/2022/wellington-city-council-2022-triennial-elections---final-stv-result.pdf, Wellington City Council, 17 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221020062552/https://wellington.govt.nz/-/media/your-council/elections/2022/wellington-city-council-2022-triennial-elections---final-stv-result.pdf, 20 October 2022, live, Daran Ponter of the Wellington City ward on the Greater Wellington Regional Council was the only councillor to have been re-elected on a Labour ticket during the 2022 Wellington local election.WEB, 2022 Election Results and Returns,www.gw.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2022-election-results-and-returns/, 17 November 2022, Greater Wellington Regional Council, 16 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221018043018/https://www.gw.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2022-election-results-and-returns/, 18 October 2022, live, Campbell Barry has been the mayor of Lower Hutt since 2019 and was re-elected on the Labour ticket along with Wainuiomata ward councilor Keri Brown during the 2022 Hutt City Council elections.WEB, Hutt City Council: 2022 Triennial Elections,hccpublicdocs.azurewebsites.net/api/download/587890ba7b2542ef8532867346c3a343/_extcomms/fe7471f91425bbb04fe4894402092c56192d, Hutt City Council, 17 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221015114044/https://hccpublicdocs.azurewebsites.net/api/download/587890ba7b2542ef8532867346c3a343/_extcomms/fe7471f91425bbb04fe4894402092c56192d, 15 October 2022, 13 October 2022, live, NEWS, Boyack, Nicholas, Campbell Barry wins Hutt City mayoralty,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/130111565/campbell-barry-wins-hutt-city-mayoralty, 17 November 2022, Stuff (website), Stuff, 8 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221023160503/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/130111565/campbell-barry-wins-hutt-city-mayoralty, 23 October 2022, live,

Whanganui

In Whanganui, Labour member Hamish McDouall served two terms as mayor until he was defeated by Andrew Tripe during the 2022 local elections.NEWS, Ellis, Moana, McDouall out: Whanganui backs first-timer as new mayor,www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/manawatu-top-stories/300708428/mcdouall-out-whanganui-backs-firsttimer-as-new-mayor, 8 November 2022, Manawatu Standard, Stuff (company), Stuff, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221027180527/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/manawatu-top-stories/300708428/mcdouall-out-whanganui-backs-firsttimer-as-new-mayor, 27 October 2022, live, McDouall had previously contested the seat of Whanganui for the party. McDouall ran on an independent ticket.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11329145, MacDonald, Anne-Marie, 22 September 2014, McDouall rues ‘side issues’, Wanganui Chronicle, NZME, 9 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20181014130123/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11329145, 14 October 2018, live,

Electoral results

Parliamentary

{{New Zealand Labour Party electoral history}}{|class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center;”!Election!Party votes!Total %!Seats won!Status!1919|131,402|24.2% {{nochange}}8hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1922|150,448|23.70% {{decrease}}17hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1925|184,650|27.20% {{increase}}12hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1928|198,092|26.19% {{decrease}}19hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Junior in coalition with United}}!1931|244,881|34.27% {{increase}}24hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1935|434,368|46.17% {{increase}}53hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}Two-party system era!1938|528,290|55.82% {{increase}}53hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}!1943|522,189|47.6% {{decrease}}45hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1946|536,994|51.28% {{increase}}42hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}} !1949|506,073|47.16% {{decrease}}34hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1951|473,146|45.8% {{decrease}}30hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1954|481,631|44.1% {{decrease}}35hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1957|531,740|48.3% {{increase}}41hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}!1960|420,084|43.4% {{decrease}}34hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1963|383,205|43.7% {{increase}}35hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1966|382,756|41.4% {{decrease}}35hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1969|464,346|44.2% {{increase}}39hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1972|677,669|48.37% {{increase}}55hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}!1975|634,453|39.56% {{decrease}}32hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1978|691,076|40.41% {{increase}}40hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1981|702,630|39.01% {{decrease}}43hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1984|829,154|42.98% {{increase}}56hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}!1987|878,448|47.96% {{increase}}57hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!1990|640,915|35.14% {{decrease}}29hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1993|666,759|34.68% {{decrease}}45hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}} Mixed-member proportional representation era!1996|584,159|28.19% {{decrease}}37hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!1999|800,199|38.74% {{increase}}49hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand {{Small>(coalition)}}}}!2002|838,219|41.26% {{increase}}52hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!2005|935,319|41.10% {{decrease}}50hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!2008|796,880|33.99% {{decrease}}43hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}!2011|614,936|27.48% {{decrease}}34hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!2014|604,534|25.13% {{decrease}}32hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}!2017|956,184|36.89% {{increase}}46hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand {{Small>(coalition)}}}}!2020|1,443,546 |50.01% {{increase}}65hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Government}}!2023|767,236|26.91% {{decrease}}34hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}Opposition}}
Labour did not contest every electorate until 1946, when it stood candidates in all 80 electorates.NEWS,paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19461116.2.87, The Lists Close, 16 November 1946, Evening Star, 25951, 9, According to the National Executive reports,{{sfn|Brown|1962|p=225}} the number of official candidates in 1919 is uncertain (53 or possibly 46). The party ran 41 candidates in 1922; 56 in 1925; 55 in 1928; 53 in 1931; 70 in 1935; 78 in 1938; and 77 in 1943. Labour did not run against independent candidates who voted with Labour, such as Harry Atmore in Nelson and David McDougall in Mataura, Southland. Labour did not run candidates against the two Country Party candidates in 1935, but did in 1938, when both candidates were defeated.
“>

Māori electorates{|class“wikitable” style@text-align:center;”

!Election!Seats!Change!19190hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|new!19220hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19250hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19280hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19310hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19350hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19383hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 3!19434hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 1!19464hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19494hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19514hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19544hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19574hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19604hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19634hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19664hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19694hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19724hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19754hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19784hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19814hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19844hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19874hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19904hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{steady}} 0!19933hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{decrease}} 1!19960hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{decrease}} 3!19996hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 6!20027hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 1!20053hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{decrease}} 4!20082hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{decrease}} 1!20113hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 1!20146hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 3!20177hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{increase}} 1!20206hex={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{decrease}} 1!20231{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}}}|{{Decrease}} 5

Leadership

{{for|detailed lists|Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party|Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party}}The Labour Party has had 17 leaders, 11 of whom have served as prime minister. To date, Helen Clark served longest as leader of the Labour Party. While some dispute exists as to when Harry Holland officially became leader, Clark had passed his longest possible leadership term by 26 October 2008.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10491916, Clark beats record of longest-serving Labour leader – probably, Audrey, Young, 12 February 2008, The New Zealand Herald, 12 February 2008,

List of leaders

The following is a complete list of Labour Party leaders in the House of Representatives:Key:{{legend2|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|Labour|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|{{party color|Reform Party (New Zealand)}}|Reform|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|{{party color|United Party (New Zealand)}}|United|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|National|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}PM: Prime MinisterLO: Leader of the Opposition†: Died in office{|class=“wikitable”!colspan=2|No.!Leader!Portrait!Term Began!Term Ended!Position!colspan=2|Prime Minister! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! 1| Alfred Hindmarsh100px)| 7 July 1916| 13 November 1918†| —Massey! rowspan=6 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=6|2Harry Holland(File:Harry Holland (1925).jpg|100px)27 August 19198 October 1933† —New Zealand Reform Party}}“|Francis Bell (New Zealand politician)>Bell| LO 1926–1928Gordon Coates>Coates Junior coalition partner1928–1931Joseph Ward>Ward| LO 1931–1933Forbes! rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=2|3Michael Joseph Savage(File:Michael Joseph Savage Portrait (cropped).jpg|100px)12 October 193327 March 1940†| LO 1933–1935| PM 1935–1940Peter Fraser(File:Peter Fraser.jpg|100px)1 April 194012 December 1950†| PM 1940–1949New Zealand National Party}}“|Holland! rowspan=4 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=4|5Walter Nash(File:Walter Nash (ca 1940s).jpg|100px)17 January 195131 March 1963LO 1951–1957New Zealand National Party}}“|Keith Holyoake>Holyoake| PM 1957–1960New Zealand National Party}}“|Holyoake! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! 6| Arnold Nordmeyer100px)| 1 April 1963| 16 December 1965| LO 1963–1965! rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=3|7Norman Kirk(File:Norman Kirk, crop.jpg|100px)16 December 196531 August 1974†LO 1965–1972New Zealand National Party}}“|Jack Marshall>Marshall| PM 1972–1974Bill Rowling(File:Bill Rowling, 1974 (crop).jpg|100px)6 September 19743 February 1983| PM 1974–1975New Zealand National Party}}“|Muldoon! rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=2|9David Lange(File:David Lange (1992).jpg|100px)3 February 19838 August 1989| LO 1983–1984| PM 1984–1989Geoffrey Palmer (politician)>Geoffrey Palmer100px)| 8 August 1989| 4 September 1990| PM 1989–1990Mike Moore(File:Mike Moore, 1992 (crop).jpg|100px)4 September 19901 December 1993| PM 1990New Zealand National Party}}“|Bolger! rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=3|12Helen Clark(File:Helen_Clark_Visits_the_National_Assembly_for_Wales,_11_April_2012_-_Ymweliad_Helen_Clark_i_Gynulliad_Cenedlaethol_Cymru,_11_Ebrill_2012_(7083404269)_(cropped).jpg|100px)1 December 199311 November 2008LO 1993–1999New Zealand National Party}}“|Jenny Shipley>Shipley| PM 1999–2008Phil Goff100px)| 11 November 2008| 13 December 2011| LO 2008–2011Key! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! 14| David Shearer100px)| 13 December 2011| 15 September 2013| LO 2011–2013! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! 15| David Cunliffe100px)| 15 September 2013| 30 September 2014| LO 2013–2014! height=50 style="border-bottom:solid 0 grey; background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=2|16Andrew Little(File:Andre Little 2016 (cropped).jpg|133x133px)18 November 20141 August 2017LO 2014–2017! height=50 style="border-top:solid 0 grey; background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|English! rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}“|! rowspan=2|17Jacinda Ardern(File:Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern (cropped).jpg|133x133px)1 August 201722 January 2023| LO 2017| PM 2017–2023Chris Hipkins(File:Chris Hipkins 2023 (cropped).jpg|133x133px)22 January 2023Incumbent| PM 2023New Zealand National Party}}“|Christopher_Luxon>Luxon

List of deputy leaders

The following is a complete list of Labour Party deputy leaders:{|class=“wikitable” style="width:28%;”!No.!Deputy leader!TermJames McCombs >| 1919–1923Michael Joseph Savage >| 1923–1933Peter Fraser >| 1933–1940Walter Nash >| 1940–1950Jerry Skinner >| 1951–1962Fred Hackett >| 1962–1963Hugh Watt >| 1963–1974Bob Tizard >| 1974–1979David Lange >| 1979–1983Geoffrey Palmer (politician)>Geoffrey Palmer 1983–1989Helen Clark >| 1989–1993David Caygill >| 1993–1996Michael Cullen (politician)>Michael Cullen 1996–2008Annette King >| 2008–2011Grant Robertson >| 2011–2013David Parker (New Zealand politician)>David Parker 2013–201414 >Annette King >| 2014–2017 Jacinda Ardern >| 2017 Kelvin Davis (politician)>Kelvin Davis 2017–2023 Carmel Sepuloni >| 2023–present

List of presidents

{{for|detailed list|President of the New Zealand Labour Party}}The following is a complete list of Labour Party presidents:{{sfn|Brown|1962|p=224}}{|class=“wikitable” style="width:28%;”!No.!President!TermJames McCombs >last=Garner id=3m3access-date=28 January 2011}}Andrew Walker (politician)>Andrew Walker 1917–1918 {{sfn1980|pp=168–169}}Tom Paul (politician)>Tom Paul 1918–1920{{sfn1980|p=164}}Peter Fraser >| 1920–1921Frederick Cooke (socialist)>Frederick Cooke 1921–1922Tom Brindle (politician)>Tom Brindle 1922–1926Bob Semple >| 1926–1928John Archer (New Zealand politician)>John Archer 1928–1929Jim Thorn >Gustafsonp=168}}Rex Mason >| 1931–1932Bill Jordan (politician)>Bill Jordan 1932–1933Frank Langstone >| 1933–1934Tim Armstrong (politician)>Tim Armstrong 1934–1935Walter Nash >| 1935–1936Clyde Carr >| 1936–1937James Roberts (trade unionist)>James Roberts 1937–1950{{DNZBfirst=Anna title=Roberts, James|access-date=6 May 2013}}Arnold Nordmeyer >| 1950–1955 Michael Moohan >| 1955–1960 Martyn Finlay >| 1960–1964Norman Kirk >| 1964–1966Norman Douglas (politician)>Norman Douglas 1966–1970Bill Rowling >| 1970–1973Charles Bennett (high commissioner)>Charles Bennett 1973–1976{{DNZBfirst=Angelatitle=Charles Moihi Te Arawaka Bennett|access-date=23 April 2013}}Arthur Faulkner >| 1976–1978Jim Anderton >| 1979–1984Margaret Wilson >| 1984–1987Rex Jones >DATE=22 DECEMBER 2011URL-STATUS=DEADARCHIVE-DATE=30 JANUARY 2016, Ruth Dyson >| 1988–1993Maryan Street >| 1993–1995Michael Hirschfeld >| 1995–1999Bob Harvey (mayor)>Bob Harvey 1999–2000Mike Williams (New Zealand politician)>Mike Williams 2000–2009Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)>Andrew Little 2009–2011Moira Coatsworth >| 2011–2015Nigel Haworth >| 2015–2019Claire Szabó >DATE=30 NOVEMBER 2019, Jill Day (politician)>Jill Day 2022–presentPETER >LAST=VERSCHAFFELT TITLE=LABOUR CONFERENCE DAY TO SHINE FOR NEW PRESIDENT DATE=4 NOVEMBER 2022, 7 November 2022,

See also

References

Citations

{{Reflist}}

Sources

  • BOOK, Franks, Peter, McAloon, Jim, Labour: The New Zealand Labour Party 1916–2016, 2016, Victoria University Press, Wellington, 978-1-77656-074-5,
  • BOOK, The Third Labour Government: A Personal History, Bassett, Michael, Michael Bassett, 1976, Dunmore Press,
  • BOOK, Bruce, Brown, The Rise of New Zealand Labour: A history of the New Zealand Labour Party,archive.org/details/riseofnewzealand0000brow, registration, Wellington, Price Milburn, 1962,
  • BOOK, Barry, Gustafson, Barry Gustafson, Labour’s path to political independence: The Origins and Establishment of the New Zealand Labour Party, 1900–19, Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland University Press, 1980, 978-0-19-647986-6,
  • BOOK, Barry, Gustafson, Barry Gustafson, From the Cradle to the Grave: A biography of Michael Joseph Savage, Auckland, Reed Methuen, 1986, 978-0-474-00138-3, (with Biographical appendix)
  • BOOK, {{sfnRef, Holland-Boston, 1988, |title=The Fourth Labour Government: Politics and Policy in New Zealand |editor1-last=Holland |editor1-first=Martin |editor2-last=Boston |editor2-first=Jonathan |year=1988 |publisher=Oxford University Press }}
  • BOOK, Lipson, Leslie, The Politics of Equality: New Zealand’s Adventures in Democracy, 1948, 2011, Victoria University Press, Wellington, 978-0-86473-646-8,
  • BOOK, Miller, Raymond, Party Politics in New Zealand, 2005, Oxford University Press, Australia,
  • BOOK, Wilson, James Oakley, New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984, 4th, First published in 1913, 1985, V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer, Wellington, 154283103,

External links

{{Commons category|New Zealand Labour Party}} {{New Zealand political parties}}{{NZ Labour Party}}{{authority control}}

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