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Fifth National Government of New Zealand

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Fifth National Government
Ministries of New Zealand
2008–2017
Date formed19 November 2008
Date dissolved26 October 2017
People and organisations
Head of stateElizabeth II
Represented bySir Anand Satyanand (2008-11)
Lt Gen Sir Jerry Mateparae (2011-16)
Dame Patsy Reddy (2016-17)
Head of governmentJohn Key (2008–2016)
Bill English (2016–2017)
Deputy head of governmentBill English (2008–2016)
Paula Bennett (2016–2017)
Member partyNational Party (2008-17)
ACT (2008-17)
United Future (2008-17)
Māori Party (2008-17)
Opposition partyLabour Party
Opposition leader
History
Elections
Outgoing election2017 general election
Legislature terms
PredecessorFifth Labour Government of New Zealand
SuccessorSixth Labour Government of New Zealand

The Fifth National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand for three parliamentary terms from 19 November 2008 to 26 October 2017. John Key was Prime Minister and Leader until December 2016, after which Bill English assumed the Premiership until the National Government's defeat following the October 2017 government-forming negotiations.

After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. It was subsequently reformed after the 2011 general election with a reduced number of seats, and after the 2014 general election with a reduced share of the party vote but the same number of seats. The Government had confidence and supply agreements with the following parties: ACT, United Future, and the Māori Party – which gave the Government a majority on major legislation. The National Party also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Green Party after the 2008 election, but this lapsed in 2011 and was not renewed.

Significant policies

John Key, Prime Minister, (2008–2016)
File:Prime Minister Bill English.jpg
Bill English, Prime Minister, (2016–2017)

Economic

The Government was elected in the context of the late 2000s recession.

  • The Fifth Labour Government's Emissions Trading Scheme was delayed and the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee was set up to review the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme[1] in accordance with the coalition agreement with the ACT Party.[2] In November 2009, an amended version of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme was adopted.[3]
  • Personal tax cuts, reducing taxes on all income; the top personal tax rate was lowered from 39% to 38% and then 33%.[4]
  • Abolished the Loss Attributing Qualifying Company (LAQC) tax structure, which had allowed individuals (mainly property investors) to reduce their individual income tax by off setting their LAQCs losses (the Look-through company structure replaced LAQCs, but without the tax benefits).
  • Increased GST from 12.5% to 15% in October 2010.
  • Increased the minimum wage from $12.00 per hour to $13.00 per hour in its first term, and to $14.25 in its second term.[5] This represents a nominal 3.1% average annual increase, significantly lower than the previous government's nominal 7.9% annual average increase.
  • Suspended payments to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.[6]
  • Introduced the nine-day working fortnight for businesses who were considering laying off staff.
  • Capped the minimum employers' contributions to KiwiSaver at 2%, the amount was due to increase to 4% by 2011 and gave employees the option to contribute as little as 2% of their income to KiwiSaver where previously the smallest contribution amount was 4%. The minimum employee and minimum employer contributions were raised to 3% in April 2013.
  • Introduced the "mixed ownership model" plan, in which the Government planned to reduce its share in Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy from 100% to 51% and Air New Zealand from 74% to 51%, and sell off the remainder. The plans to sell down Solid Energy were later axed due to the company's poor financial position. A citizens-initiated referendum on the sell-downs returned a 67.3% vote in opposition (on a turnout of 45.1%).
  • Ultra-Fast Broadband rollout of fibre to the house to 87% of households
  • Seven Roads of National Significance

Constitution

Social policy

  • Introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2008 (the "90-day working bill") in December 2008 which allowed employers with less than 20 staff to dismiss an employee within the first 90 days of employment for no particular reason.[10] In 2010 the bill was extended to all employers.
  • Allowed employees to cash in their fourth week of annual leave, employees can now take 3 weeks holiday and be paid for the fourth while still working.[11] The fourth week of annual leave was introduced by the previous government.
  • A lifetime limit on student loans was introduced: if a student has studied more than 7 EFTS within their lifetime the student can no longer take out any further loans. Students receiving New Zealand Superannuation Fund payments or Veterans Pension can no longer receive the Student Allowance at the same time. Students are now required to pass more than half of their studies each year to receive a Student Loan or Allowance the following year, previously this requirement only affected the Student Allowance.
  • Reformed social security benefits by consolidating seven major benefits into three new ones.

National identity

  • Restored titles ('Sir' and 'Dame') in the New Zealand honours system.[12]
  • Officially ended appointments to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, which would have meant that no new designations of "The Right Honourable" would be made, and that instead ministers will be known simply as "The Honorable".[13] However, on 2 August 2010 it was announced by the Queen of New Zealand that those appointed to offices of Governor-General, Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chief Justice would be given the title "The Right Honourable" for life, "to preserve an important mark of distinction for the holders of the nation's highest public offices".[14] Prime Minister John Key said "he appreciated the title" and also stated "Her Majesty believes it is appropriate also to acknowledge the service of the Governor-General, the Queen's representative in New Zealand, the Speaker, the highest officer in the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice, the head of the judicial branch of government".[15]
  • Two referendums on flag change; one to determine a possible alternative, the other to decide whether to change or not.

Education

  • Introduction of National Standards for primary and intermediate school children.
  • Planned to change teacher to student ratios in the 2012 Budget, but withdrew two weeks later due to miscalculations regarding the effect of changes on intermediate schools and public opposition.[16]
  • Removal of all student allowances for postgraduate study at University.
  • Rejected a bill for state-funded breakfast and lunch to be provided to students at all low-decile schools.[17]

Local government

In 2009 and 2010, the Government merged four city councils, three district councils and the Auckland Regional Council into one unitary "Super City". The Government's action differed from the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.[18]

In March 2010, the Government removed the Environment Canterbury's Councillors and replaced them with appointed commissioners. The elections in 2010 of Environment Canterbury councillors which were pending in 2013 were postponed to ensure a Water Management Plan for Canterbury would be created.[19]

Health

  • Increased amounts of elective surgery[20]

History

2008 election

The 2008 general election saw the Fifth National Government elected to power with 44.93 per cent of the popular vote, ending nine years of Labour government. National formed a minority government with confidence-and-supply support from the ACT, United Future and Māori parties. The Governor-General swore Key in as New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister on 19 November 2008.

2011 election

The 2011 general election saw the Fifth National Government continue with confidence-and-supply from the ACT, United Future and Maori parties. National increased its share of the party vote to 47.3 percent, but gained only one additional seat to 59 due to a reduced wasted vote (down to 3.4 percent from 6.5 percent in 2008), largely stemming from the return of the New Zealand First party to Parliament after a one term absence. National's increased share of votes however largely came at the expense of its support parties, which saw decreases in vote share and seats. ACT only gained a third of its 2008 vote with 1.07 percent, reducing its seats from five to just one, while the defection of Hone Harawira to form the Mana Party saw the Maori Party's share of vote split, reducing the party to 1.43 percent and reducing the number of seats to three. The United Future Party saw its party vote drop by a quarter to 0.60 percent, but retained its single seat. The reformed Government and its supporters therefore held 50.41 percent of the party vote and 64 of the 121 seats in Parliament.

2014 election

The 2014 general election saw the Fifth National Government returned again, gaining a plurality with 47.0% of the party vote and 60 of the 121 seats. On election night counts the party appeared to hold the first majority since 1994 with 61 seats, but lost a list seat (for Maureen Pugh) to the Green Party on the official count (including special votes) of the party vote.[21] National re-entered confidence and supply agreements with the centrist United Future,[22] the classical liberal ACT Party,[23] and the indigenous rights-based Māori Party[24] to form a minority government.

Subsequently, with the sudden resignation of Mike Sabin the National MP for Northland in January 2015, and his replacement in the subsequent 2015 by-election by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, the government became more dependent on the support parties.

Election results

The following table shows the total votes* for National, plus parties supporting the National-led government. For more details of election results, see the relevant election articles.

Election Parliament Seats* Total votes* Percentage Gain/loss Seats won* Change Majority
2008 49th 122 1,053,398 44.93% - 58 - -
49th Parliament
2011 50th 121 1,058,636 47.31% +5.29% 59 +1 -
50th Parliament
2014 51st 121 1,131,501 47.04% -0.57% 60 +1 -
51st Parliament

* 'Votes' means party votes only. 'Seats' means both list and electorate seats.

[25][26][27]

Prime Minister

National Party leader John Key was Prime Minister between when the government was elected in the 2008 elections, up until his resignation on 12 December 2016.

The National Party held a leadership election to determine Key's successor as National Party leader and Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister Bill English announced that he would be standing for the leadership on 6 December 2016.[28] Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins also announced their intention to seek the leadership, but dropped out due to low support from National Party colleagues. After Coleman and Collins' withdrawal, English was sworn in as the 39th Prime Minister on 12 December 2016.[29] State Services Minister Paula Bennett and Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced they would contest the consequential vacancy for Deputy Leader; Bridges dropped out of the race after it was clear Bennett had greater support.[30]

Cabinet Ministers

Main article: Cabinet of New Zealand
Portfolio Minister Term(s)
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English 2008–2016
Paula Bennett 2016–2017
Minister of Finance Bill English 2008–2016
Steven Joyce 2016–2017
Minister of Tourism John Key 2008–2016
Paula Bennett 2016–2017
Minister for Infrastructure Bill English 2008–2011
Steven Joyce 2016–2017
Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee 2008–2011
Steven Joyce 2011–2016
Simon Bridges 2016–2017
Minister of Justice Simon Power 2008–2011
Judith Collins 2011–2014
Amy Adams 2014–2017
Minister of Health Tony Ryall 2008–2014
Jonathan Coleman 2014–2017
Minister for the Environment Nick Smith 2008–2012
Amy Adams 2012–14
Nick Smith 2014–2017
Minister of Police Judith Collins 2008–2011
Anne Tolley 2011–2014
Michael Woodhouse 2014-2015
Judith Collins 2015-2016
Paula Bennett 2016–2017
Minister of Education Anne Tolley 2008–2011
Hekia Parata, Lady Gardiner 2011–2017
Nikki Kaye 2017
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson 2008–2017
Minister of Agriculture David Carter 2008–2011
Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully 2008–2017
Gerry Brownlee 2017
Minister of Trade Tim Groser 2008–2015
Todd McClay 2015–2017
Minister of Defence Wayne Mapp 2008–2011
Jonathan Coleman 2011–2014
Gerry Brownlee 2014–2017
Mark Mitchell 2017
Minister of Transport Steven Joyce 2008–2011
Gerry Brownlee 2011–2014
Simon Bridges 2014–2017
Minister for Courts Georgina te Heuheu 2008–2011
Chester Borrows 2011–2014
Amy Adams 2014–2017
Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett 2008–2014
Anne Tolley 2014–2017
Minister of Fisheries Phil Heatley 2008–2011
Minister for Ethnic Affairs Pansy Wong 2008–2010
Hekia Parata, Lady Gardiner 2011–2011
Judith Collins 2011–2014
Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga 2014–2016
Judith Collins 2016–2017
Minister of Immigration Jonathan Coleman 2008–2011
Nathan Guy 2011-2014
Michael Woodhouse 2014–2017
Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson 2008–2013
Simon Bridges 2013–2014
Minister for Workplace Health & Safety Michael Woodhouse 2014–2017
Minister of Internal Affairs Amy Adams 2011–2012
Chris Tremain 2012–2014
Peter Dunne 2014–2017
Minister of Local Government Nick Smith 2011–2012
David Carter 2012–2013
Chris Tremain 2013–2014
Paula Bennett 2014–2015
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga 2015–2016
Anne Tolley 2016–2017
Minister for Primary Industries David Carter 2011–2013
Nathan Guy 2013–2017
Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage Maggie Barry 2014–2017

Ministers outside Cabinet

Ministry Minister Term(s)
Minister of Customs Maurice Williamson 2008 – 2014
Nicky Wagner 2014 – 2017
Tim Macindoe 2017
Minister of Internal Affairs Richard Worth 2008 – June 2009
Nathan Guy June 2009 – 2011
Peter Dunne January 2014 – 2017
Minister of Civil Defence John Carter 2008 – July 2011
Craig Foss July 2011 – December 2011
Chris Tremain December 2011 – April 2012
Nikki Kaye December 2011 – December 2016
Gerry Brownlee December 2016 – May 2017
Nathan Guy May 2017 - October 2017
Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide 2008 – 2011
Minister of Consumer Affairs Heather Roy 2008 – 2010
John Boscawen 2010 – May 2011
Chris Tremain 2011 – 2014
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Paul Goldsmith October 2014 – December 2016
Jacqui Dean December 2016 - 2017
Minister of Māori Affairs Pita Sharples 2008 – 2014
Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell 2014 – 2017
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Tariana Turia 2008 – 2011
Jo Goodhew 2011 – 2014
Alfred Ngaro December 2016 - 2017
Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne 2008 – 2013
Todd McClay 2013 – 2015
Michael Woodhouse 2015 - 2016
Judith Collins 2016 - 2017

References

  1. ^ "Review of the Emissions Trading Scheme and related matters". I.23A. New Zealand Parliament. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2009Template:Inconsistent citations {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. ^ Fleming, Grant (16 November 2008). "Emissions trading scheme up for review under Act deal". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  3. ^ Hon Dr Nick Smith (25 November 2009). "Balanced new law important step on climate change". New Zealand Government Press Release. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  4. ^ Trevett, Claire (19 March 2009). "Spend tax cut or give it to the needy: PM". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Can you survive on the minimum wage in NZ?". The New Zealand Herald. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  6. ^ "CONTRIBUTIONS SUSPENSION", nzsuperfund.co.nz/
  7. ^ Trevett, Claire (18 February 2009). "Unpopular electoral finance law fades into night". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Governor-General Bill First Reading". Parliament of New Zealand. Retrieved 25 July 2010. [dead link]
  9. ^ "Monarchy debate off-topic in constitutional review". TVNZ. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  10. ^ Trevett, Claire (12 December 2008). "90-day bill passes first test under heavy fire". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  11. ^ Gower, Patrick (22 March 2009). "Govt to let employers buy back holidays". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Titles of Dames, Knights to be restored– Key". The New Zealand Herald. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Honours Q and A" (PDF). Beehive. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
  14. ^ "Use of the title 'The Right Honourable' in New Zealand, 2 August 2010". The Queen's Printer. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Queen requests officials become lifelong 'Right Honourables'". NZ Herald News. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  16. ^ Trevett, Claire (7 June 2012). "Relief over class size backdown". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Food In Schools Bill Defeated". Scoop. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Royal Commission on Auckland Governance". The New Zealand Herald. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  19. ^ "ECan council canned in favour of commissioners". TVNZ. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  20. ^ "Electives may cut emergencies". The New Zealand Herald. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  21. ^ Rutherford, Hamish (4 October 2014). "National loses majority, Greens pick up one". Fairfax NZ News. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  22. ^ Davison, Issac (29 September 2014). "Dunne deal: United Future signs agreement with National-led govt". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  23. ^ Davison, Issac (29 September 2014). "Act deal: No portfolio for David Seymour". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  24. ^ Bennett, Adam (5 October 2014). "National signs deal with Maori Party". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  25. ^ http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events-0/2008-general-election/results-2008-general-election
  26. ^ http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events-0/2011-general-election/2011-general-election-official-results
  27. ^ http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/new-zealand-2014-general-election-official-results
  28. ^ "Bill English: Why I'm standing for Prime Minister". The New Zealand Herald. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  29. ^ "The race to be PM: how it happened". Radionz.co.nz. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  30. ^ Jo Moir (10 December 2016). "Paula Bennett has won the battle for deputy Prime Minister and will team up with Bill English". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
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