Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party
| Deputy Leader of the Labour Party | |
|---|---|
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Inaugural holder | James McCombs |
| Formation | 27 August 1919 |
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is the second-most senior politician within the Labour Party in New Zealand. The officeholder deputises for the Leader of the Labour Party at party-specific events. Unlike other political party leaders, the Labour Party's Leader does not have the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy; both the Leader and Deputy Leader are elected. In all cases where the leadership is vacant, the Deputy Leader shall also serve as Acting Leader until a new leadership election.[1] When the Labour Party forms the Official Opposition the Deputy Leader typically serves as Deputy Leader of the Opposition. When Labour forms the government the deputy leader is automatically given a seat in cabinet.
Kelvin Davis is the current Deputy Leader, elected on 1 August 2017.[2]
History
The position of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party was created in 1919, three years after the party's creation. The first holder, James McCombs, was bestowed the role after he lost the draw of lots to Harry Holland in the leadership election that year.[3] It was not until 1974 that the first deputy to have been born in New Zealand, Bob Tizard. Prior to this, three deputy leaders had been born in Australia, two in England and one each in Ireland and Scotland. The Labour Party's longest-serving deputy leader, having served for 11 years, 4 months and 12 days between 1963 and 1974, was Hugh Watt.
To date, a total of seven Deputy Leaders have gone on to become the elected leader of the Labour Party (Savage, Fraser, Nash, Lange, Palmer and Clark). Two Deputy Leaders have died in office (Skinner and Hackett).
List of deputy leaders
The following is a complete list of Labour Party deputy leaders. Some deputies served concurrently as acting party leader.
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Living former deputy leaders
There are eight living former deputy leaders. The most recent deputy leader to die was Bob Tizard (1974–1979) on 28 January 2016.[4]
| Leader | Term of office | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Geoffrey Palmer | 1983–1989 | 21 April 1942 |
| Helen Clark | 1989–1993 | 26 February 1950 |
| David Caygill | 1993–1996 | 15 November 1948 |
| Sir Michael Cullen | 1996–2008 | 5 February 1945 |
| Dame Annette King | 2008–2011 | 13 September 1947 |
| 2014–2017 | ||
| Grant Robertson | 2011–2013 | 30 October 1971 |
| David Parker | 2013–2014 | 1960 (age 63–64) |
| Jacinda Ardern | 2017 | 26 July 1980 |
References
- ^ "Constitution and Rules" (PDF). New Zealand Labour Party. 2016.
- ^ Collins, Mikaela; de Graaf, Peter (2 August 2017). "Te Tai Tokerau's Kelvin Davis made deputy Labour leader". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ Garner, Jean. "McCombs, James". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ^ "Former deputy Prime Minister Bob Tizard dies age 91". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.