122-591: Leader of the Labour Party Leader of the Opposition Prime Minister General elections Dame Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern GNZM ( / dʒ ə ˈ s ɪ n d ə ɑːr ˈ d ɜːr n / jə- SIN -də ar- DURN ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand former politician who served as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. She
244-610: A public holiday from 2022 if Labour was re-elected. On 9 September, Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson announced that Labour would reintroduce the top 39% tax bracket for income above $ 180,000, applying to 2% of people. He said the new rate would generate around $ 550 million a year in revenue, needed to pay off the debt incurred by the COVID-19 response plan. On 10 September, Ardern announced Labour would aim to make electricity in New Zealand 100% renewable by 2030, five years before
366-615: A social democrat and a progressive . The Sixth Labour Government faced challenges from the New Zealand housing crisis , child poverty , and social inequality . In March 2019, in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings , Ardern reacted by rapidly introducing strict gun laws , winning her wide recognition. Throughout 2020 she led New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic , for which she won praise for New Zealand being one of
488-589: A " just transition away from fossil fuels". The plan included a pledge to establish a Clean Energy Industry Training Plan and to end coal use in New Zealand by 2030. The Green Party launched a 52-page "Think Ahead, Act Now" election platform on 25 July 2020. Green co-leader James Shaw described it as "a reference document that will guide our caucus and our ministers as we navigate the everyday choices that our Government will have to make." After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with
610-897: A $ 60 per-week universal BestStart Payment for low and middle-income families with young children. The Family Tax Credit, Orphans Benefit, Accommodation Supplement, and Foster Care Allowance were all substantially increased as well. In 2019, the government began the roll-out of a school lunches pilot programme to assist in reducing child poverty numbers; this was then extended to support 200,000 children (about 25 per cent of school rolls) in low decile schools. Other efforts to reduce poverty have included increases to main welfare benefits , expanding free doctor's visits, providing free menstrual hygiene products in schools and adding to state housing stock. However, as of 2022 critics say rising housing costs are continuing to cripple families and systemic changes are needed to ensure any gains are lasting. Economically, Ardern's government has implemented steady increases to
732-610: A 2018 United Nations General Assembly meeting, Ardern became the first female head of government to attend with her infant present. Her address to the General Assembly praised the United Nations for its multilateralism, expressed support for the world's youth, called for immediate attention to the effects and causes of climate change , for the equality of women, and for kindness as the basis for action. On 24 September 2019, Ardern met with United States President Donald Trump on
854-470: A capital gains tax during the first term of a Labour government. Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson later clarified that Labour would not introduce new taxes until after the 2020 election. The policy shift accompanied strident allegations by Minister of Finance Steven Joyce that Labour had an $ 11.7 billion "hole" in its tax policy. The Labour and Green parties' proposed water and pollution taxes also generated criticism from farmers. On 18 September 2017,
976-524: A coalition with Labour, making Ardern the next prime minister. This coalition received confidence and supply from the Green Party. Ardern named Peters as deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs . She also gave New Zealand First five posts in her government, with Peters and three other ministers serving in Cabinet. The next day, Ardern indicated her intention to take ministerial responsibilities in
1098-501: A coalition with New Zealand First after the election should NZ First become kingmaker once again. Bridges stated: "I can't trust New Zealand First", adding that "A vote for NZ First is a vote for Labour and the Greens". Bridges said that he would, however, be open to working with ACT. NZ First leader Winston Peters criticised Bridges' decision, saying that "narrowing your options can be the worst strategic move you will ever make". Owing to
1220-400: A landslide victory, gaining 77 per cent of votes cast in the preliminary results. Following her win in the by-election, Ardern was unanimously elected as deputy leader of the Labour Party on 7 March 2017, following the resignation of Annette King , who was intending to retire at the next election. Ardern's vacant list seat was taken by Raymond Huo . On 1 August 2017, just seven weeks before
1342-453: A large demographic of moderate swing voters , many of whom had previously voted for National under John Key. Approximately 16% of Labour's voters had voted for National in the previous election . The final results of the 23 September 2017 election gave National 56 seats, while Labour and the Greens combined had 54 seats. New Zealand First won 9 seats and held the balance of power ; it
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#17328441951591464-526: A main party since 1951 , the most seats any party has won since 1990 and the first time Labour has won an absolute majority of the vote since 1946 . Ardern subsequently became the most successful New Zealand politician of the MMP era, overtaking John Key by number of seats won under a single premiership. Conversely, this election was the second-worst result for the National Party, which performed poorer only in
1586-467: A majority, parties have had to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government or a minority government . Electorate boundaries for the next election are required to be redrawn after each New Zealand census . The most recent census was held in 2018 . By law, the number of South Island general electorates is fixed at 16, with the number of North Island general electorates and Māori electorates increasing or decreasing in proportion to
1708-499: A new employment insurance scheme, with 0.55% of income tax being paid to a ring-fenced insurance fund. If someone became unemployed, they would be able to claim 55% of their average weekly earnings over the year up to $ 60,000. After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, ACT cancelled its upcoming campaign events. The Māori Party launched their campaign on 20 June 2020 at
1830-547: A party wins more electorates than seats it is entitled to under the party vote, an overhang results; in this case, the House will add extra seats to cover the overhang. A political party or parties with the support of the majority of members in the House form the Government . Prior to this election, from the introduction of MMP in 1996 no single party had won enough votes to win an outright majority of seats; when no party has commanded
1952-630: A photograph of her hugging a member of the Christchurch Muslim community with the word "peace" in English and Arabic was projected onto the Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building. A 25-metre (82 ft) mural of this photograph was unveiled in May 2019. In response to the shootings, Ardern announced her government's intention to introduce stronger firearms regulations. She said that the attack had exposed
2074-587: A political party (the party vote) and one for a local candidate (the electorate vote). Political parties that meet the threshold (5% of the party vote or one electorate seat) receive seats in the House in proportion to the percentage of the party vote they receive. 72 of the 120 seats are filled by the MPs elected from the electorates , with the winner in each electorate determined by the first-past-the-post method (i.e. most votes wins). The remaining 48 seats are filled by candidates from each party's closed party list . If
2196-518: A range of weaknesses in New Zealand's gun law . Less than one month after the attack, the New Zealand Parliament passed a law that bans most semiautomatic weapons and assault rifles, parts that convert guns into semiautomatic guns, and higher capacity magazines. Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the 2019 Christchurch Call summit, which aimed to "bring together countries and tech companies in an attempt to bring to an end
2318-505: A report about the incident was published in The Spinoff . Media questioned her account, with one journalist stating that Ardern's claim was "hard to swallow". Ardern opposes criminalising people who use cannabis in New Zealand , and pledged to hold a referendum on the issue. A non-binding referendum to legalise cannabis was held in conjunction with the 2020 general election on 17 October 2020. Ardern admitted to past cannabis use during
2440-601: A review of electoral boundaries. This review was commenced in October 2019 and was completed in April 2020. The boundaries will apply in the 2020 general election, and the subsequent general election. In total, 36 electorates remained unchanged, 35 electorates were modified, and one new electorate created. The most significant boundary changes occurred in the Auckland , Waikato , central Canterbury , and Otago regions, with smaller changes in
2562-520: A soup kitchen and worked on a workers' rights campaign, Ardern moved to London, England, in 2006, where she became a senior policy adviser in an 80-person policy unit of the United Kingdom Cabinet Office under prime minister Tony Blair . (She did not meet Blair in person while in London, but later at an event in New Zealand in 2011 she questioned him about the 2003 invasion of Iraq ). Ardern
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#17328441951592684-401: A statement broadcast on television, Ardern offered condolences and stated that the shootings had been carried out by suspects with "extremist views" that have no place in New Zealand, or anywhere else in the world. She also described it as a well-planned terrorist attack . Announcing a period of national mourning, Ardern was the first signatory of a national condolence book that she opened in
2806-547: A surprise victory , the left-wing environmentalist Green Party 's Chlöe Swarbrick won the Auckland Central seat vacated by National's retiring Nikki Kaye with a margin of 1,068 votes over Labour's Helen White . The right-wing libertarian ACT Party and the Greens both increased their number of seats due to the collapse of National's support base. The Māori Party , representing the cause of indigenous rights , re-entered Parliament with two seats after Rawiri Waititi won
2928-591: A televised debate prior to the election. In the referendum, voters rejected the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill by 51.17 per cent. A retrospective article published in a medical journal suggested that Ardern's refusal to publicly back the 'yes' campaign "may have been a decisive factor in the narrow defeat". In September 2020, Ardern announced that her government had abandoned plans to make tertiary education tuition free. On 5 November 2017, Ardern made her first official overseas trip to Australia, where she met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for
3050-747: A time following consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Political parties registered with the Electoral Commission can contest the general election as a party. To register, parties must have at least 500 financial members, an auditor, and an appropriate party name. A registered party may submit a party list to contest the party vote, and can have a party campaign expenses limit in addition to limits on individual candidates' campaigns. Unregistered parties and independents can contest
3172-483: Is New Zealand's third female prime minister after Jenny Shipley (1997–1999) and Helen Clark (1999–2008). She is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders . Entering office aged 37, Ardern is also the youngest individual to become New Zealand's head of government since Edward Stafford , who became premier in 1856 also aged 37. On 19 January 2018, Ardern announced that she was pregnant, and that Winston Peters would take
3294-567: Is a general authority in the church. In 1994, she began studying at Morrinsville College , and later she was the student representative on the school's board of trustees. Whilst still at school, she found her first job, working at a local fish-and-chip shop . She joined the Labour Party at the age of 17. Her aunt, Marie Ardern, a longstanding member of the Labour Party, recruited the teenaged Ardern to help her with campaigning for New Plymouth MP Harry Duynhoven during his re-election campaign at
3416-543: Is based a number of factors including the number of seats in the current Parliament, results of the previous general election and any by-elections since, and support in opinion polls. A joint statement was released on 9 June 2020 by the Social Credit Party , Māori Party , New Conservative Party , New Zealand Outdoors Party , and Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in which they condemn the broadcasting allocations and call for reform. An initial broadcasting statement
3538-530: Is irrelevant". On 12 November 2017, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Ardern announced that the government would continue participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations despite opposition from the Green Party. New Zealand ratified the revised agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership , which she described as being better than
3660-418: Is the first time that a party has won enough seats to govern alone since the mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) system was introduced in 1996. Labour also achieved the highest percentage of the party vote (50.0%) since MMP was introduced, winning the plurality of party vote in 71 of the 72 electorates ( Epsom being the sole exception). This is also the best nationwide result in the popular vote for
3782-442: Is the longest-serving Labour prime minister, serving 9 years, 261 days between 1940 and 1949. A leadership candidate must be a member of parliament (MP). A new leader is elected whenever a vacancy arises, whether due to resignation, incapacitation, or following a motion of no confidence by the parliamentary caucus . The current election rules were adopted in 2021, replacing earlier rules adopted in 2012. Candidates need 10% of
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3904-471: The 1 News at 6pm bulletin. Third-party promoters, such as trade unions and lobby groups , can campaign during the regulated period. The maximum expense limit for the election is $ 338,000 for those promoters registered with the Electoral Commission, and $ 13,600 for unregistered promoters. As of 29 September 2020 , the following third-party promoters were registered for the general election (i.e. excluding those solely registered for one or both of
4026-407: The 1940 leadership election . Michael Joseph Savage was the only leader to solely appoint his own cabinet following the election victories in 1935 and 1938 . The following is a complete list of Labour Party leaders (including acting leaders): Key: Labour Reform United National PM : Prime Minister LO : Leader of
4148-581: The 1999 general election . Ardern attended the University of Waikato , graduating in 2001 as a Bachelor of Communication Studies in politics and public relations , a specialist three-year degree. She took a semester abroad at Arizona State University in 2001. After graduating from university, she spent time working in the offices of Phil Goff and of Helen Clark as a researcher. After a period of time in New York City, United States, where she volunteered at
4270-534: The 2002 general election . With the election being highly centred around the government's praised response to the COVID-19 pandemic , it led to the unprecedented flipping of traditionally National-voting seats to Labour, often with very comfortable margins. Examples included the rural seats of Wairarapa , East Coast , Ōtaki and Rangitata , the latter having never previously voted for Labour. In another blow to National's heartlands, every city except Auckland and Tauranga gave their seats entirely to Labour. In
4392-399: The 2017 general election , Ardern assumed the position of leader of the Labour Party , and consequently became leader of the Opposition, following the resignation of Andrew Little . Little stood down due to the party's historically low polling. Ardern was unanimously confirmed in an election to choose a new leader at a caucus meeting the same day. At 37, Ardern became the youngest leader of
4514-400: The COVID-19 alert level being raised to level 3 in the Auckland region and level 2 elsewhere, there were growing calls to delay the dissolution of Parliament and the election. The following day, Collins called for the election to be delayed until at least after November with the aim of allowing parties more time to campaign, and all major political parties suspended their campaigns. Delaying
4636-580: The Cabinet Office during Tony Blair's premiership . In 2008, Ardern was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth . Ardern was first elected as an MP in the 2008 general election , when Labour lost power after nine years. She was later elected to represent the Mount Albert electorate in a by-election on 25 February 2017. Ardern was unanimously elected as deputy leader of
4758-545: The Fifth National Government which had been in power for three terms (2008–2017). The 2017 election also marked the first time under MMP in New Zealand that a party led a government without commanding the plurality of the party vote. On 22 May 2020, a leadership election occurred following two poor polling results for the National Party , in which Todd Muller replaced Simon Bridges as leader and Leader of
4880-553: The Hoani Waititi Marae , with a flagship "Whānau First" policy, ensuring that a quarter of government spending over the next two years is spent on projects led by Māori and involving Māori-led businesses. Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was quoted as saying that "Māori must be guaranteed resources for Māori recovery, we cannot go backwards to how we were living pre-COVID – that is not an option for our whānau, too many of whom are struggling just to survive". Crushed in
5002-572: The National Party 's 56. After negotiations, New Zealand First chose to enter a minority coalition government with Labour, supported by the Green Party , with Ardern as prime minister. She was sworn in by the governor-general on 26 October 2017. She became the world's youngest female head of government at age 37. Ardern gave birth to her daughter on 21 June 2018, making her the world's second elected head of government to give birth while in office (after Benazir Bhutto ). Ardern describes herself as
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5124-706: The National Security and Intelligence ; Arts, Culture and Heritage ; and children's portfolios; reflecting the shadow positions she held as Leader of the Opposition. She wanted to appoint herself the Minister for Children but was advised that role was too large to hold alongside her other responsibilities; instead, Ardern became the first Minister for Child Poverty Reduction . She was officially sworn in by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy on 26 October, alongside her ministry . Upon taking office, Ardern said that her government would be "focused, empathetic and strong". Ardern
5246-499: The New Zealand Labour Party , who serves as the parliamentary leader and leading spokesperson of the party. The current leader is Chris Hipkins , after Jacinda Ardern resigned. The post of leader of the Labour Party was officially created upon the party's inception in 1916, though the title "leader" was often substituted and/or complemented with the title "chairman". At the 1935 election , Michael Joseph Savage led
5368-617: The Northland and Tasman regions. The new electorate was created in South Auckland and named Takanini . Taking area from the Hunua, Manurewa, and Papakura electorates, Takanini is predicted to be a National-tilting to marginal electorate. Takanini's creation cascaded existing electorates north through Auckland and south through Waikato. Significant changes to the north include Manukau East taking Sylvia Park and Panmure from Maungakiekie, with
5490-612: The Otago Peninsula from Dunedin South. The Otago-Southland boundary changes saw three electorates change names: Clutha-Southland to Southland , Dunedin North to Dunedin , and Dunedin South to Taieri . In the Tasman region, the town of Brightwater moved from Nelson to West Coast-Tasman to bring the latter electorate within quota. Two electorates had name changes to correct their spelling. Rimutaka
5612-480: The Parliamentary Opposition , as is the case now, the party leader commonly takes on the position of the leader of the Opposition and chairs a Shadow Cabinet . Likewise, when the party is in Government , the leader typically becomes the prime minister . Unique to Labour, the party's caucus possesses the right to elect MPs to Cabinet , rather than the leader choosing them. The practice began following
5734-466: The Waiariki electorate. Populist nationalist party New Zealand First , led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in coalition with Labour , suffered its worst-ever result, losing all its seats. Ardern moved the Labour Party further to the centre during its campaign, promising to cut spending during the remainder of COVID-19 recession and controversially cancelling the government's promise to make
5856-555: The 2018 UN General Assembly meeting. In late February 2020, Ardern met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sydney. During her visit, she criticised Australia's policy of deporting New Zealanders, many of whom had lived in Australia but had not taken up Australian citizenship, as "corrosive" and damaging to Australia–New Zealand relations. On 15 March 2019, 51 people were fatally shot and 49 injured in two mosques in Christchurch . In
5978-456: The 2020 election. During the regulated period prior to election day, parties and candidates have limits on how much they may spend on election campaigning. The limits are updated every year to reflect inflation. It is illegal in New Zealand to campaign on election day itself, or within 10 metres of an advance polling booth. For the 2020 general election, the regulated period ran from 18 August to 16 October 2020. Every registered party contending
6100-459: The 2020 election. The party made headlines during the campaign following repeated vandalism of their advertising in multiple cities, for posting a meme comparing a New Conservative candidate to Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln , and when a candidate repeatedly and falsely claimed to be an ambassador for the Cancer Society charity. On 6 October 2020, party leader Leighton Baker mounted
6222-622: The Government's light vehicle fleet electric by 2023, and aim to have 80,000 electric vehicles in use by 2023 (four times more than there currently were). On 15 September, they announced a $ 30 million policy to improve children's dental care. On 29 September, National announced they would double funding for the Serious Fraud Office to $ 25 million annually and rename it to the Serious Fraud and Anti-corruption Agency. Megan Woods
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#17328441951596344-416: The Green Party released a Poverty Action Plan, which included a guaranteed minimum income of $ 325 a week. Green co-leader Marama Davidson stated that "Our Guaranteed Minimum Income is about fairness. It's about ensuring those who have done well under our current system pay it forward and share that success with people who are struggling." This was followed up by the launch of a Clean Energy Plan, to ensure
6466-452: The Labour Party on 1 March 2017, after the resignation of Annette King . Exactly five months later, with an election due, Labour's leader Andrew Little resigned after a historically low opinion polling result for the party, with Ardern elected unopposed as leader in his place. Labour's support increased rapidly after Ardern became leader, and she led her party to gain 14 seats at the 2017 general election on 23 September, winning 46 seats to
6588-546: The Labour Party campaigning on a capital gains tax for the last three elections, Ardern pledged in April 2019 that the government would not implement a capital gains tax under her leadership. However, since then the period for which capital gain on rental properties sold is taxed has increased from five to ten years since purchase. Ardern travelled to Waitangi in 2018 for the annual Waitangi Day commemoration; stayed in Waitangi for five days, an unprecedented length. Ardern became
6710-442: The Labour Party in its history. She is also the second female leader of the party after Helen Clark . According to Ardern, Little had previously approached her on 26 July and said he thought she should take over as Labour leader then, as he was of the opinion he could not turn things around for the party, although Ardern declined and told him to "stick it out". At her first press conference, after her election as leader, she said that
6832-545: The Labour Party to victory, becoming the first Labour prime minister . In 1963, Arnold Nordmeyer became the first New Zealand-born leader of the party; three previous leaders had been born in Australia and one each in England and Scotland. The most electorally successful Labour leader to date is Helen Clark , who won three elections, in 1999 , 2002 and 2005 . Clark is also the party's longest-serving leader, having served for 14 years, 346 days between 1993 and 2008. Peter Fraser
6954-538: The Level 4 lockdown in March 2020, polls began to suggest that Labour could either attain a majority government or could govern with confidence-and-supply from the Greens. In contrast, the leadership of the National Party changed twice in less than three months, unable to improve its poor polling results after collapsing in April 2020. Heading a campaign widely perceived as centrist or centre-leaning, Labour gained support from
7076-492: The Opposition †: Died in office 2020 New Zealand general election Jacinda Ardern Labour Jacinda Ardern Labour The 2020 New Zealand general election was held on Saturday 17 October 2020 to determine the composition of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament . Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives , 72 from single-member electorates and 48 from closed party lists . Two referendums , one on
7198-478: The Opposition , and Nikki Kaye replaced Paula Bennett as deputy leader of the party. Muller himself then resigned on 14 July 2020 citing health reasons, leading to another leadership election later that day, in which Collins was voted into the National leadership position. New Zealand uses a mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system to elect the House of Representatives . Each voter gets two votes, one for
7320-429: The ability to use social media to organise and promote terrorism and violent extremism ". On 14 March 2020, Ardern announced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand that the government would be requiring anyone entering the country from midnight 15 March to isolate themselves for 14 days. She said the new rules will mean New Zealand has the "widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in
7442-416: The alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, National halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown. On 17 July, National announced they would spend $ 31 billion on transport projects over the coming decade and would abolish the Auckland regional fuel tax. On 11 September, National announced that they would allow electric vehicles in bus lanes, make one third of
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#17328441951597564-439: The alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, the Green Party halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown. On 15 September, Shaw announced that the Green Party would propose a bill that makes it mandatory for large companies to make annual disclosures about the impact of climate change on their businesses and declare strategies for mitigating these impacts. The Green Party campaigned for
7686-481: The best result for the party since losing power in 2008. The rival Labour and National parties lacked sufficient seats to govern alone and held talks with the Greens and New Zealand First parties about forming a coalition. Under the country's mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system, New Zealand First held the balance of power and chose to be part of a coalition government with Labour. On 19 October 2017, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters agreed to form
7808-463: The capital, Wellington . She also travelled to Christchurch to meet first responders and families of the victims. In an address at the Parliament, she declared she would never say the name of the attacker: "Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them ... he will, when I speak, be nameless." Ardern received international praise for her response to the shootings, and
7930-422: The caucus to nominate. The caucus votes via exhaustive ballot (absent MPs can vote by proxy ), and a candidate requires the support of two-thirds of the caucus to be elected. If no one can get two-thirds the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If there are two candidates left and neither got two-thirds, there may be multiple rounds of voting to identify a consensus candidate. If one cannot be found then
8052-594: The country's minimum wage and introduced the Provincial Growth Fund to invest in rural infrastructure projects. The National Party's planned tax cuts were cancelled, saying instead it would prioritise expenditure on healthcare and education. The first year of post-secondary education was made free from 1 January 2018 and, after industrial action, the government agreed to increase primary teachers' pay by 12.8 (for beginning teachers) and 18.5 per cent (for senior teachers without other responsibilities) by 2021. Despite
8174-430: The dissolution of parliament beyond 12 October 2020, and therefore the election date beyond 28 November 2020, would require a legislative amendment. As the length of the parliamentary term is entrenched , such an amendment would require a 75% supermajority to pass. On 12 August 2020, Prime Minister Ardern delayed the dissolution of Parliament until 17 August and was seeking advice from the Electoral Commission regarding
8296-455: The election timeline. On 17 August, Ardern announced that the general election would be pushed back to 17 October while the dissolution of Parliament would be delayed until 6 September. The Chief Electoral Officer has powers under the Electoral Act to delay polling at some or all polling places for up to three days due to unforeseen circumstances. This can be extended for up to seven days at
8418-411: The election, saying: "The current immigration track must stop and only New Zealand First, with a stronger hand in 2020, can make this happen", and "a vote for New Zealand First will see the permanent residency qualification raised from two to five years". Peters also said the party wanted to lead a public discussion with voters about a "population policy", including defining acceptable population growth and
8540-402: The election, which was originally set for 16 August, was subsequently delayed until 13 September. Political parties would have had to be registered by this day to contest the party vote. The timetable for the general election was as follows: The original date of 19 September was announced before the COVID-19 pandemic had reached New Zealand . In April 2020, the National Party doubted that
8662-497: The election. In conjunction with a reshuffle of caucus responsibilities on 25 May, Muller announced that the party had replaced Bennett as campaign manager with Gerry Brownlee . On 14 July 2020 Muller himself resigned as National Party leader, citing mental health issues. An emergency party caucus meeting replaced him later that night with Collins, with Gerry Brownlee becoming the new deputy leader. After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with
8784-544: The electorate renamed Panmure-Ōtāhuhu ; New Lynn taking the Waitakere Ranges from Helensville; Helensville taking Wellsford , Warkworth and the Kowhai Coast from Rodney and Northland, with the electorate renamed Kaipara ki Mahurangi ; and Rodney taking Dairy Flat from Helensville and being renamed Whangaparāoa . To the south, Papakura took the entire Hunua electorate east of State Highway 1, in exchange for Hunua taking
8906-410: The electorate vote in the electorates of Auckland Central and Tāmaki Makaurau . ACT launched their party campaign on 12 July 2020. ACT party leader David Seymour criticised the government's COVID-19 response as "clearly, demonstrably unsustainable", and called for the open pursuing of "having the world's smartest border, not as a rhetorical device, but a practical reality." The party also unveiled
9028-476: The electorate vote only. Seventeen of the eighteen registered parties submitted a list and contested the general election. The Mana Party did not submit a party list or apply for a broadcasting allocation, and has endorsed and offered its resources to the Māori Party . Some incumbents who had previously stood in an electorate (but may have been returned as list representatives) stood as list-only candidates in
9150-477: The electorate vote. Registered parties are allocated a separate broadcasting budget for radio and television campaigning. Only money from the broadcasting allocation can be used to purchase airtime; production costs can come from the general election expenses budget. The Electoral Commission determines how much broadcasting funding each party gets, set out by part 6 of the Broadcasting Act 1989 . The allocation
9272-607: The entire Banks Peninsula from Selwyn. Port Hills subsequently returned to its pre-2008 name of Banks Peninsula . Clutha-Southland lost the Tuatapere - Te Waewae area to Invercargill and Balclutha , Milton and the lower Clutha Valley to Dunedin South, while gaining Alexandra , Clyde and the Clutha Valley upstream of Beaumont from Waitaki. Waitaki in turn took the Palmerston area from Dunedin North, allowing Dunedin North to take
9394-517: The expiration or dissolution of the current parliament. Under section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986 , parliament expires three years "from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer." The writs for the 2017 election were returned on 12 October 2017; as a result, the 52nd Parliament would have to dissolve no later than 12 October 2020. Consequently,
9516-498: The farming lobby group Federated Farmers staged a protest against the taxes in Ardern's hometown of Morrinsville. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters attended the protest to campaign but was jeered at by the farmers because they suspected he was also in favour of the taxes. During the protest, one farmer displayed a sign calling Ardern a "pretty communist". This was criticised as misogynistic by former prime minister Helen Clark. In
9638-465: The few Western nations to successfully contain the virus. It is estimated that her government's actions saved as many as 80,000 lives. Ardern moved the Labour Party further to the centre towards the October 2020 general election , promising to cut spending during the remainder of the COVID-19 recession . She led the Labour Party to a landslide victory , gaining an overall majority of 65 seats in Parliament,
9760-415: The final days of the general election campaign, the opinion polls narrowed with National taking a slight lead. During the general election held on 23 September 2017, Ardern retained her Mount Albert electorate seat by a margin of 15,264 votes. Labour increased its vote share to 36.89 per cent while National dropped back to 44.45. Labour gained 14 seats, increasing its parliamentary representation to 46 seats,
9882-415: The first female prime minister to speak from the top marae . Her visit was largely well received by Māori leaders, with commentators noting a sharp contrast with the acrimonious responses received by several of her predecessors. On 24 August 2018, Ardern removed Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran from Cabinet after she failed to disclose a meeting with a broadcaster outside of parliamentary business, which
10004-446: The first time a majority government had been formed since the introduction of a proportional representation system in 1996. On 19 January 2023, Ardern announced she would resign as Labour leader. Following the unopposed election of Chris Hipkins as her successor, she resigned as leader of the Labour Party on 22 January and submitted her resignation as prime minister to the governor-general on 25 January. Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern
10126-476: The first time in over a decade. Detractors observed her positions were substantially similar to those of Andrew Little, and suggested that Labour's sudden increase in popularity were due to her youth and good looks. In mid-August, Ardern stated that a Labour government would establish a tax working group to explore the possibility of introducing a capital gains tax but ruled out taxing family homes. In response to negative publicity, Ardern abandoned plans to introduce
10248-514: The first time. Relations between the two countries had been strained in the preceding months because of Australia's treatment of New Zealanders living in the country, and shortly before taking office, Ardern had spoken of the need to rectify this situation, and to develop a better working relationship with the Australian government. Turnbull described the meeting in cordial terms: "we trust each other...The fact we are from different political traditions
10370-545: The forthcoming election campaign would be one of "relentless positivity". Immediately following her appointment, the party was inundated with donations by the public, reaching NZ$ 700 per minute at its peak. After Ardern's ascension to the leadership, Labour rose dramatically in opinion polls . By late August, the party had reached 43 per cent in the Colmar Brunton poll (having been 24 per cent under Little's leadership) as well as managing to overtake National in opinion polls for
10492-503: The four-week lockdown in New Zealand from 23 March during the COVID-19 pandemic , National temporarily suspended their campaign on the same day. On 22 May 2020, following low poll results for National in the week prior, a National parliamentary caucus meeting replaced Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett with Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye as leader and deputy leader respectively. In his first speech as leader, Muller expressed his openness to working with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after
10614-588: The front bench, naming her Labour's spokesperson for Youth Affairs and as associate spokesperson for Justice (Youth Affairs). She made regular appearances on TVNZ 's Breakfast programme as part of the "Young Guns" feature, in which she appeared alongside National MP (and future National leader) Simon Bridges . Ardern contested the seat of Auckland Central for Labour in the 2011 general election , standing against incumbent National MP Nikki Kaye for National and Greens candidate Denise Roche . She lost to Kaye by 717 votes. However, she returned to Parliament via
10736-424: The goal of ending the oil and gas industry by 2030. The party would also ban new seabed mining permits and withdraw existing permits, as well as establish a $ 1 billion Pūngao Auaha for "Māori-owned community energy projects and solar panel and insulation instillations". On 14 September, the party announced their major policies, including changing the official name of the country to Aotearoa by 2026, restoring
10858-700: The issue of Xinjiang internment camps and human-rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in China. Ardern has also raised concerns over the persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar . Ardern travelled to Nauru , where she attended the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum . Media and political opponents criticised her decision to travel separately from the rest of her contingent, costing taxpayers up to NZ$ 100,000, so that she could spend more time with her daughter. At
10980-507: The last day for issuance of the writs of election is 19 October 2020. Since the passage of the Electoral Amendment Act 2020, which came into force on 11 March 2020, the writs must be returned within 60 days of their issuance (save for any judicial recount, death of a candidate, or emergency adjournment), which would be 18 December 2020. Because polling day must be on a Saturday, and ten days is required for counting of special votes,
11102-479: The last election due to voters in Māori electorates greatly choosing Labour over the Māori Party , co-leader John Tamihere made it clear they would not re-enter a coalition government with National like they did in previous terms of Parliament. On 19 July 2020, the party released a climate change policy, involving an end to new offshore oil and gas permits, as well as withdrawing existing onshore and offshore permits with
11224-400: The last possible date for this general election is 21 November 2020. On 28 January 2020, Ardern announced that the election would be held on 19 September, with the 52nd Parliament holding its last sitting day on 6 August and dissolving on 12 August. On 17 August 2020, Ardern delayed the election to 17 October, with the dissolution of Parliament delayed until 6 September. The writ date for
11346-414: The leadership is determined by an electoral college comprising the caucus (40% of the total vote), party members (40%) and affiliated trade unions (20%). No later than three months following a general election , there must be a caucus vote to endorse the leader. If they fail to receive endorsement then the position of party leader is vacated and an election is triggered. When the Labour Party forms
11468-469: The new leader. Ardern stood again in Auckland Central at the 2014 general election . She again finished second though increased her own vote and reduced Kaye's majority from 717 to 600. Ranked 5th on Labour's list, Ardern was still returned to Parliament where she became Shadow spokesperson for Justice, Children, Small Business, and Arts & Culture under new leader Andrew Little . In 2014 Ardern
11590-809: The northern part of the Waikato electorate as far south as, and including, Te Kauwhata . Hunua subsequently returned to its pre-2008 name, Port Waikato . Waikato took Te Aroha and the remainder of the Matamata-Piako District area from Coromandel, allowing Coromandel to take Ōmokoroa from Bay of Plenty. In the South Island, Selwyn lost the Rakaia area to Rangitata, Mcleans Island and Christchurch Airport to Ilam, and Hornby South to Wigram. Ilam gained Avonhead from Wigram, allowing Wigram to take Aidanfield from Port Hills, which in turn allowed Port Hills to take
11712-482: The original Māori names of all towns and cities, requiring primary schools to incorporate Māori language into 25% and later 50% of the curriculum, and requiring all state-funded broadcasters to have a basic fluency level of Māori. The New Conservatives ruled out an alliance with both the Labour-led coalition and Billy Te Kahika Jr's New Zealand Public Party . The party received a broadcasting allocation of $ 62,186 for
11834-568: The original TPP agreement. Ardern attended the 2017 APEC summit in Vietnam, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 in London (featuring a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II ) and a United Nations summit in New York City. After her first formal meeting with Donald Trump she reported that the US president showed "interest" in New Zealand's gun buyback programme . In 2018, Ardern raised
11956-487: The party list, on which she was ranked 13th. Ardern maintained an office within the electorate while she was a list MP based in Auckland Central. After Goff resigned from the Party leadership following his defeat at the 2011 election, Ardern supported David Shearer over David Cunliffe . She was elevated to the fourth-ranking position in his Shadow Cabinet on 19 December 2011, becoming a spokesperson for social development under
12078-440: The party vote was permitted to spend $ 1,199,000 plus $ 28,200 per electorate candidate on campaigning during the regulated period, excluding radio and television campaigning (broadcasting funding is allocated separately). For example, a registered party with candidates in all 72 electorates was permitted to spend $ 3,229,400 on campaigning for the party vote. Electorate candidates were permitted to spend $ 28,200 each on campaigning for
12200-409: The personal use of cannabis and one on euthanasia , were also held on the same day. Official results of the election and referendums were released on 6 November. The governing Labour Party , led by incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , won the election in a landslide victory against the National Party , led by Judith Collins . Labour won 65 seats, enough for a majority government . It
12322-469: The population. Each electorate must have the same population, with a tolerance of plus or minus five percent. For the 2014 and 2017 elections, there were 48 North Island general electorates and 7 Māori electorates, which, along with the 16 South Island electorates, gives a nationwide total of 71 electorates. On 23 September 2019, Statistics New Zealand announced that population growth necessitated one additional North Island general electorate, bringing
12444-423: The previous target of 2035. This would be done by banning the building of new coal or gas power plants, boosting the solar sector , and speeding up the consent process for renewable energy projects. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters named the provincial growth fund in its current form as his first bottom line for any post-election coalition talks. Peters also outlined the party's immigration policy ahead of
12566-525: The public would be ready for an election in September, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called for the election to be delayed to 21 November. In May 2020, Ardern said she did not intend to change the date of the election and Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright said that the Electoral Commission was working to the dates originally set by the Prime Minister. After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August 2020, with
12688-503: The referendums). After the announcement of 19 September as election date, parties started their campaigns. Party campaigns throughout 2020 were heavily impacted by COVID-19, with parties unable to host events during alert levels 3 and 4. The National Party initially chose Paula Bennett as its campaign manager . (All previous elections since 2005 had seen National with Steven Joyce as campaign manager. ) On 2 February 2020, Simon Bridges announced that National would not want to form
12810-481: The resignation of David Shearer on 8 December 2016. When nominations for the Labour Party closed on 12 January 2017, Ardern was the only nominee and was selected unopposed. On 21 January, Ardern participated in the 2017 Women's March , a worldwide protest in opposition to Donald Trump , the newly inaugurated president of the United States. She was confirmed as Labour's candidate at a meeting on 22 January. Ardern won
12932-429: The role of acting prime minister for six weeks after the birth. Following the birth of a daughter, she took her maternity leave from 21 June to 2 August 2018. Ardern promised to halve child poverty in New Zealand within a decade. In July 2018, Ardern announced the start of her government's flagship Families Package. Among its provisions, the package gradually increased paid parental leave to 26 weeks and introduced
13054-435: The safe National electorate of Waikato . Ardern was unsuccessful in the electorate vote, but her high placement on Labour's party list allowed her to enter Parliament as a list MP . Upon election, she became the youngest sitting MP in Parliament, succeeding fellow Labour MP Darren Hughes , and remained the youngest MP until the election of Gareth Hughes on 11 February 2010. Opposition leader Phil Goff promoted Ardern to
13176-433: The sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting. During the 25-minute meeting, the two leaders discussed various issues including tourism, the Christchurch mosque shooting , and bilateral trade. During the meeting, Trump expressed an interest in New Zealand's gun buy-back scheme. The two leaders had earlier met briefly at the 2017 East Asia Summit, the 2017 APEC Summit, and during an exclusive party following
13298-486: The standard three years of tertiary education tuition-free. Doing so alienated some left-wing Labour supporters, giving the Green Party a boost in seat numbers and their victory in Auckland Central . While results of opinion polls early in the year were neck-and-neck between the two major parties, Ardern and the Labour Government were praised for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand . Following
13420-423: The time for a migrant to obtain permanent residency. At the campaign launch on 19 July 2020, Peters promised a cap of 15,000 highly skilled immigrants and recruiting 1,000 new police officers. After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, New Zealand First halted their campaigning. On 28 June 2020,
13542-417: The total number of North Island general electorates to 49 and the overall number of electorates to 72 (reducing the number of list seats available by one). Statistics New Zealand also announced that 11 North Island, three South Island, and two Māori electorates were above 5% tolerance, while five South Island electorates and one Māori electorate were below 5% tolerance. The Representation Commission undertook
13664-497: The world". On 19 March, Ardern stated that New Zealand's borders would be closed to all non-citizens and non- permanent residents , after 11:59 pm on 20 March ( NZDT ). Ardern announced that New Zealand would move to alert level 4 , including a nationwide lockdown , at 11:59 pm on 25 March. Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party The leader of the Labour Party is the highest-ranked political position within
13786-523: Was a member of Parliament (MP) as a list MP from 2008 to 2017 and for Mount Albert from 2017 to 2023. Born in Hamilton , Ardern grew up in Morrinsville and Murupara . She joined the New Zealand Labour Party at the age of 17. After graduating from the University of Waikato in 2001, Ardern worked as a researcher in the office of Prime Minister Helen Clark . She later worked in London as an adviser in
13908-544: Was also seconded to the United Kingdom Home Office to help with a review of policing in England and Wales . On 30 January 2008, at 27, Ardern was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) at their world congress in the Dominican Republic for a two-year term until 2010. The role saw her spend time in several countries, including Hungary, Jordan, Israel, Algeria and China. It
14030-767: Was also selected, attended and graduated from the World Economic Forum 's (WEF) Forum of Young Global Leaders , founded by Klaus Schwab , which takes place in Switzerland. She remains involved publicly as a part of the Young Global Leaders Alumni Community, and speaks at WEF events. Ardern put forward her name for the Labour nomination for the Mount Albert by-election to be held in February 2017 following
14152-460: Was born on 26 July 1980 in Hamilton , New Zealand. She grew up in Morrinsville and Murupara , where her father, Ross Ardern , worked as a police officer, and her mother, Laurell Ardern ( née Bottomley ), worked as a school catering assistant. She has an older sister named Louise. Ardern was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and her uncle, Ian S. Ardern,
14274-521: Was chosen as campaign manager. On 29 January 2020, Ardern announced the New Zealand Upgrade Programme , a NZ$ 12 billion infrastructure improvement package. After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, Labour halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown. On 7 September, Ardern committed to making Matariki
14396-445: Was in a position to give either National or Labour the 61 seats needed to form a government. On 19 October 2017, Winston Peters , leader of New Zealand First, announced that he would form a coalition government with Labour. On the same day, James Shaw , leader of the Green Party, announced that his party would give confidence and supply to a Labour–NZ First government. Thus, Labour regained power after nine years in opposition, ending
14518-427: Was judged to be a conflict of interest. Curran remained a minister outside Cabinet, and Ardern was criticised by the Opposition for not dismissing Curran from her portfolio. Ardern later accepted Curran's resignation. In 2019, she was criticised for her handling of an allegation of sexual assault against a Labour Party staffer. Ardern said she had been told the allegation did not involve sexual assault or violence before
14640-464: Was mid-way through her presidency term that Ardern became a list MP for the Labour Party. She then continued to manage both roles for the next 15 months. Ahead of the 2008 election, Ardern was ranked 20th on Labour's party list . This was a very high placement for someone who was not already a sitting MP, and virtually assured her of a seat in Parliament. Accordingly, Ardern returned from London to campaign full-time. She also became Labour's candidate for
14762-406: Was released from the Electoral Commission on 29 May 2020, including parties that have not yet registered but intend to. The broadcasting allocation was revised on 11 September 2020, redistributing funds from parties that failed to register in time for the election. For comparison, the cost of a 30-second slot on TVNZ in October 2020 ranged from $ 250 in overnight slots up to $ 22,000 for slots during
14884-576: Was renamed Remutaka in line with its namesake, the Remutaka Range , which was renamed in 2017 as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The Whangārei electorate was renamed by adding a macron to the second "a". Unless an early election is called or the election date is set to circumvent holding a by-election, a general election is held every three years. The previous election was held on 23 September 2017. The governor-general ( Patsy Reddy ) must issue writs for an election within seven days of
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