Sixth National Government of New Zealand

Government of New Zealand since 2023

Sixth National Government

Ministries of New Zealand
2023–present

Ministers pictured with the Governor-General after their swearing-in, 27 November 2023[a]

Date formed| 27 November 2023
People and organisations
Monarch| Charles III
Governor-General|

* Cindy Kiro

Prime Minister| Christopher Luxon
Deputy Prime Minister| Winston Peters (until 31 May 2025)
David Seymour (from 31 May 2025)
Member parties|

* New Zealand National Party
* ACT New Zealand
* New Zealand First

Status in legislature| Majority (coalition)
68 / 123 (55%)

Opposition parties|

* New Zealand Labour Party
* Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
* Te Pāti Māori

Opposition leader|

* Chris Hipkins

History
Election(s)| 2023
Legislature term(s)| 54th Parliament
Predecessor| Sixth Labour Government

The Sixth National Government is a coalition government comprising the National Party, ACT Party and New Zealand First that has governed New Zealand since November 2023. The government is headed by Christopher Luxon, the National Party leader and prime minister.

Following the 2023 general election on 14 October 2023, coalition negotiations between the three parties ended on 24 November,[1] and the new government was sworn into office by the Governor-General on 27 November.[2]

The coalition government has agreed to a select committee with the possibility of amending the Treaty of Waitangi legislation, affirm local referendums on Māori wards, and prioritise English over te reo Māori in Government departments. On broader issues, the government's plan includes restoring interest deductibility for rental properties, changes in housing policies, infrastructure investment, conservative law and justice reforms, and tax cuts.

## Background[edit]

### 2023 general election[edit]

Main article: 2023 New Zealand general election

In the 2023 general election held on 14 October, the National Party defeated the incumbent Labour Party,[3][4] winning 48 seats and 38.1% of the popular vote.[5] Labour won 27% of the popular with its share of parliamentary seats dropping from 64 to 34. Prime Minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded the election and congratulated National Party leader Christopher Luxon.[4]

### Coalition negotiations[edit]

Following the 2023 general election, National entered into coalition negotiations with both the libertarian ACT New Zealand and populist New Zealand First parties.[6][7] Luxon stated that he would be conducting these negotiations privately and would not confirm how his stance on policies such as ACT's referendum on co-governance.[6] University of Otago law professor Andrew Geddis speculated that National's coalition talks with ACT would be influenced by NZ First leader Winston Peters' demands and history of playing a "kingmaker" role in previous elections. Peters had also publicly criticised several National and ACT policies during the 2023 election campaign including National's proposal to ease the ban on foreign home purchases, tax cuts, agricultural emissions pricing, proposal to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67, and ACT's proposal to slash government expenditure and public service jobs.[7]

Coalition talks between the three parties was also influenced by close results in several marginal seats including Te Atatū, Banks Peninsula, Nelson, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Te Tai Tokerau.[8] Nicola Willis was expected to be Finance Minister.[9] Following the release of final results on 3 November, National's parliamentary representation dropped from 50 to 48 seats. Since National and ACT did not meet the 62 seat threshold needed to form a government, a prospective National-led government needed New Zealand First to form the next government.[5]

On 8 November, ACT and NZ First made first contact in their coalition talks with National during a meeting between ACT's chief of staff Andrew Ketels and NZ First's chief of staff Darroch Ball. This introductory meeting was meant "to establish a line of communication" between the two parties. In addition, Luxon, Peters alongside senior colleagues and chiefs of staff from both National and NZ First held talks in Wellington that same week. Peters' negotiation team included Ball and fellow NZ First MP Shane Jones while National's negotiation team included Chris Bishop.[10] Following the release of final results, Seymour had attempted to contact Peters via text message but the NZ First leader had dismissed it as a scam.[11] On 9 November, Seymour expressed a hope that coalition negotiations and government formation would be completed before an upcoming APEC meeting in mid-November 2023.[12] That same day, Peters criticised the law change by the previous Labour Government that had allowed voters to register on election day, thus delaying the Electoral Commission's publication of final results by one week. Peters had previously supported the law change in 2020.[13]

The ACT party has proposed a referendum on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, something that gained media attention during the 2023 New Zealand general election campaign.[14][15][16][17][18] The referendum was a negotiation issue for the incoming government. However the referendum idea drew criticism from Green Party co-leader James Shaw, Labour MP Willie Jackson, and former Prime Minister and National MP Jim Bolger, who expressed concerns that it would antagonise Māori people and provoke violence.[19][20][21]

In addition, NZ First and ACT have both expressed disagreement with National's proposed 15% tax on foreign house buyers, a key component of its tax policy which is estimated to raise NZ$740 million a year.[22]

On 13 November, Luxon said it was unlikely he would go to the 2023 APEC summit in the United States due to prioritising a government coalition.[23] Instead, the outgoing Trade Minister Damien O'Connor represented New Zealand at the 2023 APEC summit.[24]

On 15 November, Luxon, Seymour and Peters met at Pullman Hotel's boardroom in Auckland. It was the first time the three leaders had met in person since the election.[25][26]

On 20 November, Luxon confirmed that National had reached an agreement on policy positions with ACT and New Zealand First. In response to Luxon's announcement, Peters stated that it was an "assumption" to state that a policy agreement had been reached.[27][28] In addition, Seymour said "that Luxon had maybe had too many Weet-Bix that day." Seymour also opined that ACT as the second largest party in the coalition should hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister and have more ministerial portfolios than NZ First.[29] That same day, the three parties entered into talks about allocating cabinet ministerial positions.[28][29] On 21 November, Luxon met with Seymour to discuss ministerial portfolios.[30]

### Coalition agreement[edit]

Coalition negotiations between the three parties concluded on the afternoon of 23 November. That same day Luxon, Seymour and Peters met in Wellington to finalise the agreement between National, ACT, and NZ First. Later that night, Luxon informed Governor-General Cindy Kiro that he had the numbers to form the incoming government. On the morning of 24 November, the leaders of the three parties signed the coalition agreement, which was subsequently released to the public.[31][32] Seymour welcomed the coalition deal and told The New Zealand Herald that the Government would announce a 100-day plan that could include repealing some legislation passed by the outgoing Labour government.[31]

The terms of National's two coalition agreements with NZ First and ACT were unveiled on 24 November 2023.[33] As part of National's agreement with NZ First, National would no longer proceed with its proposed foreign buyer tax but would instead fund tax cuts via reprioritisation and other forms of revenue gathering. The Government would also adopt ACT's policies of restoring interest deductibility for rental properties and pet bonds. In addition to adopting National's youth crime and gang policies, the new Government would adopt ACT's policies of rewriting firearms legislation and NZ First's policy of training 500 new Police officers. The new Government would also scrap the previous Labour Government's Fair Pay Agreements Act 2022, proposed hate speech legislation, co-governance policies, Auckland light rail, Three Waters reform programme, and Māori Health Authority. The Government would also establish a new regulatory agency answerable to Minister for Regulation Seymour that would review the quality of new and existing legislation. The Government would also adopt NZ First's policy of establishing $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund. In addition, fees-free tertiary education would be shifted from the first to last year of tertiary study.[33][34][35][36]

While the new Government would not support Act's proposed referendum on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Government would introduce a Treaty Principles Act and amend exiting Treaty of Waitangi legislation to focus on the "original intent of the legislation."[35][37] The Government also adopted NZ First's policy of legislating the English language as an official language of New Zealand and requiring all government departments to use English in their communications and keep their primary name in English, except for those dealing with Māori people. The Government also adopted NZ First's policy of halting all work related to the He Puapua report and confirming that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has no legal basis in New Zealand law. The Government would also restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards.[35][38][39] In addition, the new Government would adopt most of National's fiscal, taxation, 100-day and 100-point economic plans, with exceptions specified in the agreements with ACT and NZ First.[35]

As part of National's agreement with New Zealand First, the Government agreed to end all remaining COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to hold an independent inquiry into how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled in New Zealand. This proposed independent inquiry would be conducted publicly by local and international experts and is expected to examine the use of multiple lockdowns, vaccine procurement and efficacy, social and economic impacts on both national and regional levels, and whether decisions and actions taken by the Government were justified.[40][41] While the outgoing Labour Government had commissioned a Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned, Peters claimed the inquiry's terms of reference were "too limited" during election campaigning. Luxon also stated that the Government supported broadening the inquiry's terms of reference.[41]

## History[edit]

### 2023[edit]

The new government was formally sworn into office on 27 November 2023.[2] On 29 November, the Government announced its 100-day plan which would focus on implementing 49 economic, law and order, and public service policies. Notable economic policies have included introducing legislation to limit the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's mandate to combating inflation, cancelling various fuel taxes including the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, repealing the Clean Car discount programme, reintroducing 90-day trials periods for all businesses, halting the Lake Onslow hydro scheme, and repealing the previous Labour Government's Water Services Entities Act 2022, Spatial Planning Act 2023 and Natural and Built Environment Act 2023. Notable law and order policies have included banning gang patches, preventing gang members from gathering in public and communicating with each other, ending taxpayer funding for Section 27 cultural reports, and extending rehabilitation programmes to remand prisoners. Notable public service policies have included beginning work on establishing a third medical school at the University of Waikato, banning cellphones in schools, testing new World Health Organization (WHO) regulations against a "national interest" test, and disestablishing Te Pukenga and the Māori Health Authority.[42] The government has been described by various observers as a very conservative government for New Zealand standards.[43][44][45][46]

On 7 December, Foreign Minister Winston Peters successfully moved a motion calling for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. The motion also condemned Hamas' terror attack on 7 October 2023, called for the release of all hostages, recognised Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law, and called for civilians to be protected from armed conflict. The government's motion also incorporated an amendment by Labour MP Phil Twyford calling for the establishment of a State of Palestine in accordance with a two-state solution. Peter's motion was criticised as being insufficient by Labour MP Damien O'Connor and Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman.[47][48]

On 8 December, Minister of Transport Simeon Brown ordered Waka Kotahi (the New Zealand Transport Agency) to give primacy to its English name over its Māori name.[49] That same day, Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds confirmed that the mega polytechnic Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) would be dissolved and replaced by eight to ten institutions.[50] That same day, Luxon announced during an official visit to Hawke's Bay that the Government would pause work on restoring the Napier-Wairoa railway line and focus on repairing State Highway 2.[51]

On 11 December, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced that the Government would be delaying the previous Labour Government's plans to make online mathematics and literacy tests a prerequisite for National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualifications in 2026. Trial runs of the tests had recorded failure rates of more than 40% particularly among Māori, Pasifika students, and schools in poorer communities. Stanford said that the students had been let down by the education curriculum and that it would be unfair to make the tests the only way to achieve NCEA qualifications.[52]

On 13 December, the Government passed its first new law reversing the previous Labour Government's law change in 2018 giving the Reserve Bank of New Zealand the dual mandate of managing inflation and supporting maximum sustainable employment. The Government's law change ordered the Reserve Bank to focus solely on managing inflation. The Bill was introduced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Labour's finance spokesperson Grant Robertson criticised the National coalition government for reversing his party's financial reforms.[53] That same day, Willis declined KiwiRail's request for an additional NZ$1.47 billion to replace its ageing Interislander ferry fleet. The Government also cancelled the previous Labour Government's plans to buy new replacement ferries, with Willis stating that the Government would be looking at cheaper alternatives.[54]

On 14 December, the Government passed legislation repealing the previous Labour Government's Fair Pay Agreements Act 2022 under urgency. While National, ACT and NZ First supported the bill, it was opposed by the Labour, Green, and Māori parties.[55] Several unions including Stand Up, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Post Primary Teachers' Association and Unite Union had also opposed the National-led government's plans to repeal fair pay agreements, staging protests outside the electorate office of ACT leader Seymour on 12 December.[56] By contrast, Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young welcomed the repeal of Fair Pay Agreements, claiming they were unnecessary and complicated employment laws.[57]

On 14 December, the Government passed the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Discount Scheme Repeal) Amendment Act 2023 under urgency. This bill repealed the previous Labour Government's Clean Car Discount, which encouraged consumers to buy electrical and hybrid vehicles by imposing a tax on high-emissions vehicles such as utes. While the governing National, ACT and NZ First parties supported the Bill, it was opposed by the opposition Labour, Green and Māori parties.[58]

On 16 December Transport Minister Brown instructed the New Zealand Transport Agency to halt the Transport Choices Programme, which involved funding various local council projects to promote cycling, walking and public transportation. The Government's transport policy changes were criticised by Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan and Mayor of New Plymouth Neil Holdom but were supported welcomed by New Plymouth councillor Murray Cheong.[59] Notable projects affected by the Government's transportation policy change included the "Let's Get Wellington Moving" programme. Following negotiations with the Wellington City Council (WCC) and the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the three parties reached an agreement in which the Government would fund the Basin Reserve upgrade while the WCC would take over the Golden Mile project.[60]

On 20 December, the Government passed legislation repealing the Natural and Built Environment Act and the Spatial Planning Act as part of its plans to reform the Resource Management Act framework.[61] That same day, Finance Minister Willis released the Government's mini-budget, which delivered NZ$7.47 billion in operational savings.[62]

On 21 December, the Government passed legislation reinstating 90-day trials for all employers, a key campaign promise by National and Act. While the bill was supported by National, ACT, and NZ First, it was opposed by Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden argued the legislation would provide employers and employees with certainty and allow the removal of difficult employees. By contrast, Labour's Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson Camilla Belich criticised the repeal as an attack on working people.[63][64] By further contrast, The Treasury published a review of the prior 90-day trial which started in 2009. The authors concluded that that the main benefit of the policy was a decrease in dismissal costs for firms, while many employees faced increased uncertainty about their job security for three months after being hired.[65] That same day, Reti announced that the Government would invest NZ$50 million over the two next years to help Māori health providers boost immunisation rates within the Māori community.[66]

### 2024[edit]

On 12 January, Foreign Minister Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed New Zealand's support for Anglo-American airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, which had been disrupting international shipping in response to the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.[67][68]

On 14 January, Transport Minister Brown confirmed the cancellation of Auckland light rail, stating the projected NZ$29.2 billion cost of the project. He also criticised the previous Labour Government for spending NZ$228 million on the project over the past six years with little to show for it.[69]

On 23 January, the Government dispatched six New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel to the Middle East in response to the 2024 missile strikes in Yemen to help provide maritime security including "precision targeting."[70] The opposition Labour and Green parties criticised the deployment, citing the lack of a United Nations mandate and claiming it would inflame tensions respectively.[71] Though Foreign Minister Peters rejected any connection between New Zealand's Yemen military contribution and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, University of Otago geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller opined that this development could mark the end of New Zealand's "independent" foreign policy due to the Government's support for the Anglo-American military actions in Yemen.[72]

On 26 January, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown confirmed that the Government would halt plans by the previous Labour Government to introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16 years for local council elections.[73][74]

On 30 January, Luxon announced that New Zealand would be suspending its annual NZ$1 million aid to UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East) in light of allegations that at least 12 UNRWA workers had participated in the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel.[75]

On 1 February 2024, Peters and Collins met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles in Melbourne to discuss New Zealand's involvement in the AUKUS Pillar Two developments. Marles confirmed that Australia would send officials to brief their New Zealand counterparts about Pillar Two, which would focus on advanced military technology including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. New Zealand is not expected to join AUKUS Pillar One due to its nuclear-free policy. The two governments also committed to reinforced security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and increased military integration between the Australian and New Zealand militaries.[76][77]

That same day, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden confirmed that the Government would raise the minimum wage by two percent to NZ$23.15 an hour from 1 April 2024.[78] On 2 February, the Government confirmed that it would expand the scope of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned to include lockdowns, vaccine procurement, the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-effectiveness of the Government's policies, social disruptions caused by the Government's policies, and whether the Government response was consistent with the rule of law.[79]

On 11 February 2024, Luxon and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced that the Government would contribute NZ$63 million to aid the removal of sediment and debris caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne District.[80] That same day, Social Development Minister Louise Upston confirmed that the Government would introduce a "traffic light system" to combat "entrenched welfare dependency" including the use of sanctions and mandatory community work experience, a 2023 election campaign promise. In response, Green Party social development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March claimed the Government's welfare policies were cruel and would reinforce the cycle of poverty.[81]

On 14 February, the Government passed legislation repealing the previous Labour Government's Three Waters reform programme under urgency. While National, ACT and NZ First supported the bill, it was opposed by the Labour, Green, and Māori parties.[82] Local Government Minister Brown also announced that the Government would introduce two new laws in 2024 and 2025 rolling its own "Local Water Done Well" programme, which would emphasise local control over water infrastructure and services.[83] The Government also announced that the replacement legislation would allow local councils to voluntarily form their own water services groupings and council-controlled organisations similar to Wellington Water and Auckland's Watercare Services.[82]

On 19 February, Social Development Minister Louise Upston announced a ramping up of benefit sanctions from June 2024 including "work check-ins" for jobseekers who have been on a benefit for at least six months. Luxon confirmed the check-ins would not apply to those on a sole parent or supported living benefits.[84]

On 22 February, the Government extended the New Zealand Defence Force's Ukrainian training deployment to June 2025. Foreign Minister Peters also confirmed that New Zealand would contribute a NZ$25.9 million military, humanitarian and reconstruction aid package to Ukraine, bringing NZ's total aid contribution since the Russian invasion of Ukraine to over NZ$100 million.[85]

On 25 February, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced that the Government would introduce legislation to ban gang insignia in public places, empower Police to stop criminal gangs from gathering and gang members from communicating, and giving greater weight to gang membership during sentencing.[86]

On 28 February 2024, the Government passed urgent legislation disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) and repealing the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022.[87][88] That same day, the Government designated the entire Hamas organisation as a terrorist entity. Previous governments had only designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. In addition, the Government barred entry to several extremist Israeli settlers who had attacked Palestinians in the West Bank. The Government also extended sanctions against Russia.[89]

On 5 March, Minister for Children Karen Chhour announced that the Government would be launching a pilot boot camp for youth offenders run by Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) in mid 2024.[90] On 6 March, the Government passed urgent legislation ending taxpayer funding for cultural reports.[91]

On 7 March, the Government introduced legislation to fast-track the resource consent process for significant projects and allow overseas investors to invest in rental housing developments.[92][93] On 8 March, Reti announced that the Government would focus on meeting five health targets in the areas of cancer treatment, child immunisation, shorter stays in emergency departments, and shorter wait times for special assessments and treatments.[94]

On 10 March, Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced that the Government would restore interest deductions on residential investment properties.[95] The government has increased allocations for the landlord tax deductions by $800 million, from $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion. From 1 April 2024, landlords will be able to write off 80 percent of their mortgage interest on residential investment properties, and 100 percent from 1 April 2025.[96][97]

On 13 March, Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden confirmed that the Government was planning to overhaul health and safety regulations and amend the Holiday Act 2003. While Business NZ welcomed the proposed changes, First Union New Zealand denounced the proposed changes as an attack on workers.[98] That same day, the Government confirmed plans to upgrade Linton Military Camp's dilapidated barracks as the first project of its new flagship public-private infrastructure financing programme.[99]

On 14 March, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced that the government would suspend the obligation for councils to impose Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) under the previous Labour Government's National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while the Resource Management Act 1991 is being replaced. Their protection was previously required under the Resource Management Act 1991.[100] On 15 March he released a statement saying his 14 March comment had been misunderstood and that there had been no changes to statutory and regulatory obligations for local council. University of Otago law Professor Andrew Geddis said the statement was "misleading at best, and borderline unlawful at worst. No minister can by mere announcement remove an existing legal obligation imposed by a parliamentary enactment."[101]

Between 10 and 16 March 2024, Peters undertook a tour of India, Indonesia and Singapore where he met with several foreign political and business leaders. Peters stated that the coalition government regarded South and Southeast Asia as a priority in "maintaining and building New Zealand's security and prosperity."[102] On 14 March, Peters attracted media attention after making remarks during an interview with the Indian media outlet The Indian Express that appeared to cast doubt on Canadian assertions that the Indian Government was responsible for assassinating Canadian Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. MFAT and Peters clarified that New Zealand's position on the matter remained unchanged during the course of the investigation.[103] On 18 March, Peters hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his state visit to Wellington. The two leaders discussed a range of issues important to China-New Zealand relations including economic relations, people-to-people relations links, bilateral cooperation as well as differences on human rights issues and China's territorial claims to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.[104][105]

On 18 March, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Finance Minister Nicola Willis ordered state housing provider Kāinga Ora to end the previous Government's "Sustainable Tenancies Framework" and take disciplinary action against unruly tenants and those with overdue rent including evictions and relocations.[106]

On 19 March Disabilities Minister Penny Simmonds announced the Government would eliminate respite care funding for families with disabled children due to budgetary reasons.[107] On 20 March, Simmonds said Ministry for Disabled People had done an inadequate job in conveying changes to disabled people's funding and suggested some families were wasting their funding on “massages, overseas travel and pedicures”. The changes have caused widespread anguish within the disabled community with a petition opposing the changes attracting more than 10,000 signatures in 24 hours.[108] In response to criticism, Finance Minister Willis called officials and Simmonds for an urgent briefing, after families were blindsided by news of cuts to respite care.[109]

On 19 March, Transport Minister Simeon Brown confirmed that the Government would reduce the proposed road user charge on hybrid vehicles from NZ$53 per 1,000km to NZ$38. Earlier, the Parliamentary transport select committee had adopted a Labour and Green proposal to reduce the road user charge for hybrid vehicles to NZ$38 against the wishes of committee chair and NZ First MP Andy Foster.[110] In mid January 2024, the Government had announced that it would implement road user charges on both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from 1 April 2024.[111]

On 20 March, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced that the Government would introduce legislation to ban disposable vapes, and increase the maximum fine from selling to under-18s from $10,000 to $100,000.[112]

On 27 March, the Government passed major tax legislation restoring interest deductibility for residential investment property, reducing the bright-line test for residential property to two years, and eliminating depreciation deductions for commercial and industrial buildings that were reinstated by the previous Labour government as part of its economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[113] On 28 March, the Government passed legislation requiring electric cars and plug-in hybrids to pay road user charges.[114] That same day, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced the Government had halted work on legislation to create a 620,000sqkm ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands.[115]

## Election results[edit]

The following table shows the total party votes and seats in Parliament won by National, plus any parties in coalition with the National-led government.

Election  | Parliament  | Government type  | Party votes  | Percentage  | Total seats  | Majority

|
|
|
|
|
|

2023 | 54th | National–ACT–NZ First coalition  | 1,505,877  | 52.81%

* * *

National (38.08%)
ACT (8.64%)
NZ First (6.09%)  | 68  | 13

## Significant policies and initiatives[edit]

### Agriculture[edit]

* Easing restrictions on gas and methane emissions from pastoral farming.[33]
* Reverse the ban on live animal exports.[33]
* Introduce legislation easing restrictions on genetic engineering.[33]
* Reforming the membership, mandate and function of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.[33]
* Halting the review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.[33]
* Incentivising emissions reduction mitigations such as low methane genetics and animal feed.[33]
* Encouraging government agencies to use woollen fibres at government buildings.[33]

### Democracy[edit]

* Introducing legislation to extend the Parliamentary term from three years to four years.[33]

### Education[edit]

* Shifting the "Fees Free Scheme" from the first year to final year of tertiary study.[34][35][33]
* Eliminating all references to gender, sexuality and "relationship-based education guidelines" in educational curriculums.[35]
* Requiring schools to institute one hour of reading, writing, and mathematics each day.[35]
* Reintroducing charter schools and allowing state schools to convert to charter schools.[35][33]
* Restore balance to the school history curriculum.[33]
* Combating truancy through enforcement action, data collection, and publishing school attendance data.[33]
* Improve the cost-effectiveness of school lunch programmes.[33]

### Economy[edit]

* Increase spending on wealth creation and infrastructure development.[33]
* Reducing Core Crown expenditure as a proportion of the overall economy.[33]
* Strengthening the powers of the Grocery Commissioner and promoting competition in the supermarket sector.[33]
* Expanding the Inland Revenue Department's tax audit capacity.[33]
* Prioritising fair trade agreements with export markets including India.[33]

### Employment and social services[edit]

* Repeal the Fair Pay Agreements regime by Christmas 2023.[33]
* Expand 90-day trials to include all businesses.[33]
* Commit to moderate increases in the minimum wage each year.[33]
* Implementing sanctions against beneficiaries who can work but refuse to find work including electronic money management.[33]
* Strengthening obligations on Jobseeker beneficiaries to find work including sanctions.[33]
* Restricting the number of doctors who can issue medical certificates for health and disability limits.[33]

### Environment[edit]

* Repealing the previous Government's ban on offshore gas and oil exploration.[35]
* Introducing new resource management legislation to emphasise property rights.[35]

### Firearms[edit]

* Rewriting the Arms Act 1983.[36][33]
* Transferring the firearms regulator to a different agency.[36]
* Reviewing the national Firearms Registry.[36][33]

### Fiscal[edit]

* Public sector organisations will be given "expenditure reduction targets" including reducing "non-essential" back office functions.[35][33]
* Assessing government expenditure against the criteria of public goods, social insurance, regulating market failure and policy choice.[33]

### Foreign[edit]

* Ensure a "National Interest Test" is undertaken before New Zealand accepts any agreements from the UN and WHO that limit national decision-making and reconfirm that New Zealand’s domestic law holds primacy over any international agreements, and by 1 December 2023 reserve against proposed amendments to WHO health regulations.[116]
* Recognising Israel's right to self-defence in the Israel–Hamas war.[47][48]
* Supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[47][48]
* Condemning Hamas for initiating the Israel–Hamas war and rejecting Hamas' role in any future governance of the Gaza Strip.[117]
* Designating the whole of Hamas as a terrorist entity, after its military was described this way in 2010.[118]

### Health[edit]

* Disestablish the Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority).[38]
* Repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022.[116]
* Repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023.[33]
* Review the University of Auckland's Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme and University of Otago equivalent.[38][116][119]
* Allowing the sale of cold medication containing pseudoephedrine.[116][120]
* End all remaining COVID-19 vaccine mandates.[40]
* Establish an independent public inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.[40]

### Housing and tenancy[edit]

* Restoring interest deductibility for rental properties.[34]
* Allowing local governments to opt out of the previous government's medium density residential standards.[36]
* Restoring no-cause evictions with a 90-day notice.[33]
* Returning tenant's notice period to move back to 21 days.[33]
* Returning landlord's notice period to sell property back to 42 days.[33]
* Introduce pet bonds for tenants.[33]

### Immigration[edit]

* Raise the cap on the number of workers allowed under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.[33]
* Introduce a five-year, renewable parental category visa, conditional on covering health costs.[33]
* Remove median wage requirements from Skilled Migrant Category visas.[33]
* Make it easier for the family members of visa holders to immigrate to New Zealand.[33]
* Improve the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme to ensure that NZ is attracting migrants and skills needed.[33]
* Toughening Immigration New Zealand's risk management and verification process.[33]

### Infrastructure, energy and natural resources[edit]

* Establishing a National Infrastructure Agency to coordinate government funding and private investment to boost infrastructural development.[33]
* Establishing a NZ$1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund.[34][35][36]
* Prioritise infrastructure needed to support New Zealand's heavy industry.[33]
* Progressing a business case to establish a dry dock at Marsden Point.[36]
* Repealing the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and Spatial Planning Act 2023 by Christmas 2023.[35][33]
* Scrap the Kāinga Ora "Sustaining Tenancies Framework" and taking action against state housing tenants engaging in "anti-social behaviour."[33]
* Reverse speed limit reductions where it is safe to do so.[33]
* Amending the Resource Management Act 1991 to boost farming, housing, and other economic activities.[33]
* Ensure that climate change policies do not affect energy security.[33]

### Justice and Law[edit]

* Abolishing concurrent sentencing when an offence is committed on parole, on bail or whilst in custody.[35][121]
* Requiring prisoners to work.[35]
* Equipping Corrections officers with body cameras.[35]
* Introducing legislation dealing with "coward punching".[35]
* Reintroducing three strikes.[116]
* Removing prisoner reduction targets.[116]
* Training 500 new police officers within two years.[36]
* Increase the number of Youth Aid officers.[33]
* Boosting funding for community policing including Māori and Pasifika Wardens, Community Patrol New Zealand, and Neighbourhood Watch.[33]
* Protect freedom of speech by ruling out the introduction of hate speech legislation and stop the Law Commission’s work on hate speech legislation.[116]
* Boosting funding to the Department of Correction to raise staffing levels.[33]
* Amending the Sentencing Act 2002 and other legislation to ensure tougher consequences for criminals and to emphasise victims' rights.[33]
* Introducing legislation to make it a specific offence to assault Police and other first responders.[33]
* Boosting rehabilitation programmes for prisoners including driving licenses.[33]
* Combating youth crime including consideration of a Youth Justice Demerit Point system.[33]
* Toughen legislation against fleeing drivers.[33]

### Māori issues and the Treaty of Waitangi[edit]

* Introducing the Treaty Principles Bill and support it to a Select Committee as soon as practicable.[37][38][39]
* Enshrining Treaty Principles legislation into law.[35][37][39]
* Amending Treaty of Waitangi legislation to "refocus the scope, purpose, and nature of its inquiries back to the original intent of that legislation."[35][37][38][39]
* Removing all mentions of Treaty principles with "specific words relating to the relevance and application of the Treaty, or repealing the references."[35][38][39]
* Halting all work related to the He Puapua report.[35][39]
* Confirming that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has no binding legal effect on New Zealand law.[35][38][39]
* Restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards.[38][39][33][36]
* Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.[39]
* Repeal the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022.[33]

### Monetary policy[edit]

* Narrow the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's mandate to managing price stability and inflation.[33]

### Natural resources[edit]

* Repeal the ban on offshore gas and oil drilling.[33]
* Replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.[33]

### Public sector[edit]

* Removing co-governance from the delivery of public services.[34][35][38][39]
* Legislating the English language as an official language.[35][39][36]
* Requiring all government departments to have their primary name in English and to communicate in English "except for those specifically related to Māori."[35][38][39]
* Ensuring that government contracts are awarded based on value rather than race.[38]
* De-establishing the Water Services Reform Programme and returning assets to local councils.[39]
* Creating a new independent monitoring agency for Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children).[33]
* Halting several workstreams including Auckland light rail, Let's Get Wellington Moving, and the Lake Onslow pumped hydro programme.[33]

### Regulation[edit]

* Creating a new regulatory agency (the Ministry for Regulation) to assess the quality of all new and existing legislation.[36][33]
* Amend the Overseas Investment Act 2005 to limit ministerial decision making to national security concerns.[116]
* Reducing regulatory barriers to promote competition.[116]

### Seniors[edit]

* Retaining the superannuation age at 65 years.[36][33]
* Upgrade Super Gold Card and Veterans cards.[33]
* Boost funding for dementia patients.[33]
* Amending legislation and the resource consent process to make it easier to build "grannie flats."[33]

### Taxation[edit]

* Tax cuts will be funded by the reprioritisation of government expenditure and revenue gathering rather than a tax on foreign housing buyers.[34][35]
* Repeal the Clean Car Discount.[33]
* Repeal mortgage interest deductibility for rental properties in various stages between 2023 and 2026.[33]

## List of executive members[edit]

The Cabinet was announced on 24 November 2023 and consists of 20 members, 14 from the National Party, 3 from ACT and 3 from New Zealand First. Notable for being the first ever New Zealand government to have three parties in cabinet. A further five National MPs would sit outside of Cabinet, along with two ACT MPs and one NZ First MP.[122][123]

In a first for New Zealand, the Deputy Prime Minister role will be split for the term, with Winston Peters holding the office until 31 May 2025. David Seymour will then take on the office until the conclusion of the term.[124][34]

### Ministers[edit]

Portfolio  | Minister  | Party  | Start  | End

|
|
|
|

Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Deputy Prime Minister | Winston Peters |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Leader of the House | Chris Bishop |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Deputy Leader of the House  | Simeon Brown |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for ACC | Matt Doocey |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Agriculture | Todd McClay |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Attorney-General | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage | Paul Goldsmith |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Auckland | Simeon Brown |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Biosecurity  | Andrew Hoggard |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Building and Construction | Chris Penk |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Child Poverty Reduction | Louise Upston |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Children | Karen Chhour |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Climate Change | Simon Watts |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs | Andrew Bayly |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector | Louise Upston |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Conservation | Tama Potaka |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Corrections | Mark Mitchell |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Courts | Nicole McKee |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Customs | Casey Costello |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Defence | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Disability Issues  | Penny Simmonds |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Digitising Government | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Economic Development | Melissa Lee |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Ethnic Communities | Melissa Lee |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Education | Erica Stanford |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery | Mark Mitchell |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Energy | Simeon Brown |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for the Environment | Penny Simmonds |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Finance | Nicola Willis |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Food Safety  | Andrew Hoggard |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Winston Peters |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Forestry | Todd McClay |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister Responsible for the GCSB | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's
Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into
the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques  | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Health | Shane Reti |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Housing | Chris Bishop |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Hunting and Fishing  | Todd McClay |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Immigration | Erica Stanford |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Infrastructure | Chris Bishop |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Internal Affairs | Brooke van Velden |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Justice | Paul Goldsmith |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Land Information | Chris Penk |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Local Government | Simeon Brown |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Māori-Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti | Tama Potaka |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Māori Development | Tama Potaka |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Media and Communications | Melissa Lee |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Mental Health | Matt Doocey |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services  | Christopher Luxon |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of National Security and Intelligence | Christopher Luxon |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister Responsible for the NZSIS | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries | Shane Jones |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Pacific Peoples | Shane Reti |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Police | Mark Mitchell |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence | Karen Chhour |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for the Public Service | Nicola Willis |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Racing | Winston Peters |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Regional Development  | Shane Jones |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Regulation | David Seymour |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Resources  | Shane Jones |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Revenue | Simon Watts |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister Responsible for RMA Reform  | Chris Bishop |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Rural Communities  | Mark Patterson |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Seniors | Casey Costello |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing | Andrew Bayly |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Social Development | Louise Upston |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Social Investment  | Nicola Willis |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Space | Judith Collins |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Sport and Recreation | Chris Bishop |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of State Owned Enterprises | Paul Goldsmith |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Statistics | Andrew Bayly |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations | Paul Goldsmith |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills  | Penny Simmonds |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality | Matt Doocey |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Trade | Todd McClay |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister of Transport | Simeon Brown |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Veterans | Chris Penk |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Whānau Ora | Tama Potaka |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Women | Nicola Grigg |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety | Brooke van Velden |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Minister for Youth | Matt Doocey |  | National  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent

### Under-Secretaries & Private Secretaries[edit]

Ministry  | Member of Parliament  | Role  | Party  | Start  | End

|
|
|
|
|

Infrastructure  | Simon Court | Under-Secretary |  | ACT  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
RMA Reform
Media and Communications  | Jenny Marcroft | Under-Secretary |  | NZ First  | 27 November 2023 | Incumbent
Oceans and Fisheries  | 26 January 2024

## Issues and controversies[edit]

### Relationship with Māori[edit]

Several of the National-led coalition government's policies including a proposal to discontinue financial incentives for public servants to learn the Māori language, instructions for government departments to prioritise their English language names over their Māori names, a proposed Treaty Principles Bill, and the proposed dissolution of Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) and the proposed repeal of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022 were controversial among the Māori community, who perceived them as hostile and harmful towards Māori language, culture, and well-being.[125][126][127][128]

On 6 December 2023, the Public Service Association, the New Zealand Educational Institute and the Māori Language Commission voiced opposition to the Government's plans to review financial incentives for civil servants to learn Māori; a programme which dated back to the 1980s.[126] The Government plan gained support from the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.[129] That same day, Māori King Tūheitia Paki issued a royal proclamation to hold a national hui (meeting) to promote Māori unity in January 2024. The hui was in response to the Kīngitanga movement's concerns that the Government's policies towards the Treaty of Waitangi could reverse "decades of hard fought justice."[130][131]

On 12 December, a Tauranga-based iwi (tribe) Ngai Te Rangi Settlement Trust filed an urgent claim with the Waitangi Tribunal, claiming that the Government was breaching Article Two of the Treaty of Waitangi by plans to discontinue financial incentives for public servants to learn Māori and instructing government departments to give primacy to their English names. The plaintiffs also claimed that Government directives for Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) and Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) to use their English names breached Article One of the Bill of Rights by suspending the operation of the Treaty.[125]

On 14 December, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Janice Kuka filed a claim at the Waitangi Tribunal against the Government's plans to dissolve the Māori Health Authority, claiming that it breached the Treaty of Waitangi.[127] On 18 December, the Government filed a memorandum of counsel opposing Moxon and Kuka's claim. The Government also admitted that it had no alternative plan to address poor Māori health outcomes and that it had not consulted Māori according to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Government also conceded its policy to dissolve Te Aka Whai Ora had been motivated by political expediency during the 2023 election campaign.[132]

The Māori health organisation Hāpai Te Hauora and Health Coalition Aotearoa's co-chairwoman Professor Lisa Te Morenga also expressed concern that the proposed repeal of Smokefree legislation would have adverse health effects on New Zealanders including Māori.[128][133]

On 23 December, Te Tāwharau o Ngāti Pūkenga, the post settlement body for the Ngāti Pūkenga iwi (tribe) filed an urgent claim at the Waitangi Tribunal challenging the Government's plans to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. Section 7AA required Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) to prioritise a Māori child's ancestry or whakapapa (genealogy) when making uplifting decisions. Minister for Children Karen Chhour had lobbied for the repeal of Section 7AA, arguing that the policy placed the Treaty of Waitangi and cultural needs over the well-being of at-risk Māori children.[134]

On 10 January 2024, the Waikato-Tainui iwi filed a legal challenge at the Wellington High Court against the Government's plans to roll back the use of the Māori language in the public sector, claiming that it breached the Crown's 1995 Raupata treaty settlement. The iwi also plans to file a separate legal challenge against the Government's changes to the Resource Management Act 1991. In response to Waikato-Tainui's legal challenges, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.[135]

On 19 January, a leaked paper from the Ministry of Justice described the Government's proposed legislation to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi as "highly contentious." The proposed Treaty Principles bill had three principles: that the New Zealand Government has the right to govern all New Zealanders; the New Zealand Government will honour all New Zealanders in the chieftainship of their land and all their property; and that all New Zealanders are equal under the law with the same rights and duties. The Ministry's paper expressed concerns that the proposed law would conflict with the rights and interests of Māori under the Treaty, that the Crown was trying to define Treaty principles without consulting with Māori, that the Bill breached international agreements such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and that it infringed on the Māori right to self determination.[136]

The leak came on the eve of a national hui (meeting) organised by Māori King Tūheitia on 20 January to unify Māori and discuss the potential impact of the Government's Treaty policies. In response, Goldsmith confirmed that the Justice ministry would investigate the leak and described the document as a draft that had not yet been considered by Cabinet. In addition, ACT party leader David Seymour, who had promoted the legislation, accused the Ministry of being part of a bureaucracy that was "resistant to change." Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi used the leak to rally opposition against the Government's proposed constitutional changes while co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer accused Seymour of seeking to undermine Māori rights enshrined in the Treaty.[136]

Prior to King Tūheitia's national hui, he met with Prime Minister Luxon and Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka on 15 January to discuss several of the Government's policies including the proposed Treaty Principles legislation and plans to roll back the use of Māori language in the public service. Tūheitia affirmed his commitment to speak Māori regardless of Government policy and direction.[137] The national hui was held at Tūrangawaewae Marae on 20 January and attended by 10,000 people. National MPs Potaka and Dan Bidois represented the government there.[138] Potaka defended the Government, disputing allegations that its policies were motivated by White supremacy.[139]

Following a long-standing tradition in New Zealand politics, several members of the National and New Zealand First parties including Luxon, Potaka, Winston Peters, Shane Jones, Casey Costello and Jenny Marcroft attended the special annual hui (meeting) at the Rātana Church's pā (village) near Whanganui. Breaking with tradition, the ACT party chose not to send a representative. Since the 1930s, the Rātana Church has maintained an alliance with the Labour Party, with the Te Tai Tonga seat being held by several Rātana candidates including Eruera Tirikatene, Adrian Rurawhe, and Soraya Peke-Mason.[140] Kīngitanga and Waikato-Tainui representative Rāhui Papa warned the Government that Māori would "not sit idly" if the Government meddled with the Treaty of Waitangi and affirmed the primacy of the Māori language version of the document. Luxon affirmed the Government's commitment to honouring the Treaty and said that National would only support ACT's Treaty Principles Bill to select committee level; which was questioned by Rātana representative Kamaka Manuel. Peters criticised the track record of the previous Labour Government towards Māori while Jones expressed support for reviewing the powers of the Waitangi Tribunal. Luxon, Peters and Jones' speech were booed by members of the audience.[141][142] Greens co-leader Marama Davidson criticised ACT leader David Seymour's decision not to attended the Rātana gathering as a "dishonour" to the Māori world. Seymour defended his decision not to attend, citing their past decision not to invite him and described Rātana festivities as a religious event.[141]

In early February 2024, Beverly Te Huia and the smokefree coalition Te Rōpū Tupeka Kore filed separate Waitangi Tribunal claims opposing the Government's proposed repeal of Smokefree legislation.[143][144] In response to the legal challenges, NZ First MP and cabinet minister Shane Jones reiterated his threat to review the Waitangi Tribunal's scope and claimed that voters had supported a reset.[145]

In early February, a delegation of government MPs led by Luxon, Peters and Seymour visited the Treaty House in Waitangi as part of the annual Waitangi Day gathering; a long-standing tradition for New Zealand's political leadership. Government figures faced a hostile reception from many of the attendees, with Peters and Seymours' speeches being booed and heckled.[146][147] On Waitangi Day (6 February), thousands including Māori activists Hone Harawira and Annette Sykes gathered outside Treaty House to protest against the Government's Māori language policies and proposed Treaty Principles legislation.[148][147] In response to criticism, NZ First Minister Jones rejected allegations that the Government's Treaty Principles legislation was degrading tino rangatiratanga (self determination). Seymour claimed that the Government believed in tino rangatiratanga, citing its plans to devolve decision-making power from the central government to Māori. Luxon also acknowledged that past governments had not upheld the promises of the Treaty but stated that "no other country has attempted to right its wrongs."[149]

On 17 March Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters made remarks comparing co-governance to Nazi Germany's race-based theories. He said "Some people's DNA made them, sadly, according to these people and condoned by their cultural fellow travelers, their DNA made them somehow better than others. I've seen that sort of philosophy before. I saw it in Nazi Germany. We all did. We've seen it elsewhere around the world in the horrors of history." During the speech, Peters spoke about removing gender and sexuality lessons from the school curriculum, and making English an official language of New Zealand.[150][151] Peters' remarks likening co-governance to Nazism and the Holocaust were criticised by the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand's spokesperson Ben Kepes, who described them as offensive to Holocaust victims and survivors. Labour leader Chris Hipkins accused Peters of "using racism and anti-media rhetoric to divide the country."[152] On 18 March, in an interview with Radio New Zealand, Peters doubled down on his comparison of co-governance with Nazi Germany's race-based theories.[153] On 19 March, Peters refused to back down despite Prime Minister Luxon telling Peters his comments were unhelpful and reinforced the importance of politicians refraining from using divisive language.[154] On 20 March, Peters claims Luxon's understanding of the situation was "misinformed" by the media. Peters told TVNZ Breakfast show "[Luxon] said to me, 'I was told this, this, and this,' and I said to him, 'By who? Did you hear my speech?' No. And then I realised, like most New Zealanders, all the way at the top, he's been misinformed by you media people, who think that your shill leftie biased message is going to triumph."[155]

### Sex education curriculum changes[edit]

As part of National's coalition agreement with New Zealand First, the Government has committed to removing gender, sexuality and relationship-based guidelines from the education curriculum with a stated goal of refocusing the education curriculum on academic achievement rather than ideology. These guidelines had been developed by a team led by University of Auckland education professor Katie Fitzpatrick and introduced in 2020 by then NZ First MP and Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin. These guidelines consisted of two documents for primary and secondary pupils, and focused on teaching young people how to handle social media, pornography and sexual content online.[156][157] Education Minister Erica Stanford stated that the Government was committed to rewriting sex education-related guidelines due to concerns from parents regarding their "age-appropriateness" as part of the National-NZ First coalition agreement.[158]

Several educators including Fitzpatrick, sexual harm prevention expert and Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri Taumata TOAH-NNEST representative Russell Smith, and Post Primary Teachers' Association acting president Chris Abercrombie expressed concerns about the implications of the Government's plans to remove sex education-related guidelines for young people.[156][158] Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson accused the Government of appealing to what she described as "a small very conservative section of the community who are up in arms about this being taught in schools."[158] Cambridge Middle School Principal Daryl Gibbs stated there were some "grey areas" in the relationships and sexuality education guidelines that needed clarification but expressed concerns that eliminating them would alienate or isolate some sectors of the community.[157]

By contrast, Emeritus Professor Sue Middleton supported replacing the guidelines since she disagreed with their definition that gender could be understood as "a continuum of masculinities and femininities" and that a person's gender is "not fixed or immutable." Middleton has argued that gender is not predicated on identity but rather biological sex.[156] Deputy Prime Minister and NZ First leader Winston Peters defended plans to revise the guidelines, stating that parents had a "right to know what their child is being taught before, not after, the event and the replacement of current guidelines is about transparency."[157]

### Transgender issues[edit]

On 21 December 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that the Government was threatening to withhold public funding from sporting bodies if they did not comply with a policy to "ensure publicly funded sporting bodies support fair competition that is not compromised by rules relating to gender." This policy was promoted by New Zealand First, whose sports and recreation spokesperson Andy Foster would promote fairness and safety for female athletes. Transgender athlete and national champion mountain biker Kate Weatherly claimed that the Government's new policy would force transgender women to compete in men's competitions or be sidelined completely.[159] During the 2023 election, NZ First had campaigned about transgender people in bathrooms and sports; which included introducing legislation requiring public bodies to have "clearly demarcated" unisex and single-sex toilets, restricting toilet access to individuals from the opposite sex, and requiring sporting bodies to have an "exclusive biological female category."[160]

### Tenancy policies[edit]

As part of National's coalition agreement with ACT, the Government restored "no-cause" evictions, reducing the notice period that tenants and landlords have to give for moving or selling property, gradually reintroducing mortgage interest deductibility on rental properties and establishing pet bonds for renters.[33] While Renters' United criticised the Government for favouring landlords over tenants, the Property Investors Federation welcomed the new policies for alleviating the pressure on landlords, and stopping "tenants' tax".[161] Meanwhile, Greyhound as Pets (GAP) NZ spokesperson Daniel Bohan welcomed the introduction of a pet bond, saying that it would make it easier for tenants to own pets.[162]

### Use of parliamentary urgency[edit]

On 15 March 2024, the New Zealand Free Speech Union (FSU) criticised the Government's repeated use of "urgency" in passing legislation during its first 100 days in power. The Government had passed 14 laws under urgency over a period of 17 weeks compared with average of 10 across a whole term. The FSU advised that bills passed under urgency get less scrutiny from MPs and the public, and can become law without going through the full Select Committee process. They also wrote that the Government was not mandated explicitly to pass legislation which was not included in the policy manifestos of any of the three governing parties. In response, Leader of the House Chris Bishop criticised the FSU's assertion that the frequent use of parliamentary urgency amounted to a free speech issue and cancelled his Free Speech Union membership.[163]

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Back row from left: Rachel Hayward (Clerk of the Executive Council), Mark Patterson, Andrew Bayly, Penny Simmonds, Chris Penk, Karen Chhour, Andrew Hoggard. Third row: Simon Watts, Nicole McKee, Matt Doocey, Todd McClay, Tama Potaka, Melissa Lee, Casey Costello. Second row: Mark Mitchell, Judith Collins, Paul Goldsmith, Simeon Brown, Erica Stanford, Louise Upston, Nicola Grigg. Front row: Brooke van Velden, Chris Bishop, David Seymour, Christopher Luxon, Cindy Kiro (Governor-General), Winston Peters, Nicola Willis, Shane Reti, Shane Jones.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Quinlivan, Mark (24 November 2023). "Election 2023: National, ACT and NZ First's Coalition agreement". Newshub. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
2. ^ a b "Watch: Christopher Luxon, new ministers sworn in at Government House". Radio New Zealand. 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
3. ^ Corlett, Eva (14 October 2023). "New Zealand abandons Labour and shifts to the right as country votes for wholesale change". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
4. ^ a b Perry, Nick (15 October 2023). "New Zealand elects conservative Christopher Luxon as premier after 6 years of liberal rule". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
5. ^ a b "National and Act lose majority in final vote count". Newsroom. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
6. ^ a b "Election 2023: Christopher Luxon ready to get to work on coalition negotiations". Radio New Zealand. 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
7. ^ a b Corlett, Eva (16 October 2023). "New Zealand in political limbo as National considers shape of coalition". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
8. ^ "Government in caretaker mode as coalition talks start". Waatea News. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
9. ^ "New Zealand PM-elect Luxon says Willis 'locked in' as finance minister". Reuters. 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
10. ^ Trevett, Claire (8 November 2023). "Election 2023: NZ First and Act make first contact in coalition talks as National, NZ First hold secret meetings around Parliament". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
11. ^ Hendry-Tennent, Ireland (6 November 2023). "Election 2023: ACT's David Seymour reveals what he said in text that likely coalition partner Winston Peters thought was 'fake'". Newshub. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
12. ^ "ACT's Seymour on early NZ First talks: 'So far, so good'". 1 News. TVNZ. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
13. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (10 November 2023). "National, Act, NZ First coalition talks: Winston Peters blames delayed negotiations on decision supported by... Winston Peters". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
14. ^ "Seymour holds firm on treaty referendum demand". Te Ao Māori News. Māori Television. 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
15. ^ "Election 2023: ACT hammers home treaty referendum pledge at campaign launch". Newshub. 17 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
16. ^ "NZ could hold referendum on Treaty of Waitangi". Sky News Australia. 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
17. ^ "What stands in the way of the ACT Party plan for a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi". Radio New Zealand. 2 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
18. ^ "Majority would support Treaty referendum, although unsure if they want to vote on it". The New Zealand Herald. 5 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
19. ^ Witton, Bridie (15 October 2023). "'It could lead to violence': James Shaw's warning about ACT's Treaty of Waitangi referendum". Stuff. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
20. ^ Doyle, Trent (7 November 2023). "Labour MP Willie Jackson warns of Māori uprising over ACT's proposed Treaty referendum". Newshub. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
21. ^ Smith, Anneke (8 November 2023). "Former PM Jim Bolger on ACT's Treaty referendum plan – 'It won't and shouldn't happen'". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
22. ^ "Coalition talks cast uncertainty over National's foreign buyers tax". Radio New Zealand. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
23. ^ "'There'll be another APEC' – Luxon says he's unlikely to make forum". 1 News. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
24. ^ Craymer, LUY (14 November 2023). "New Zealand prime minister-elect will not attend APEC, government says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
25. ^ "Coalition talks: Luxon, Seymour and Peters meet in Auckland". 1 News. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
26. ^ Palmer, Russell; McCulloch, Craig (15 November 2023). "Coalition talks: Christopher Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters meet in person". RNZ. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
27. ^ "Significant development as Luxon confirms agreements reached with Act, NZ First". The Spinoff. 20 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
28. ^ a b "Policy positions sorted in negotiations between National, ACT and NZ First – Christopher Luxon". Radio New Zealand. 20 November 2023. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
29. ^ a b Ensor, Jamie (21 November 2023). "Election 2023: Christopher Luxon says ACT, NZ First have agreed to each other's policy progammes with National". Newshub. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
30. ^ Sherman, Maiki (21 November 2023). "Luxon, Seymour meet to discuss ACT's ministerial portfolios". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
31. ^ a b Couglan, Thomas (24 November 2023). "Coalition talks live updates: New Government next week, legislation bonfire planned for first 100 days". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
32. ^ "New Zealand's Luxon forges deal to lead new coalition government". Al Jazeera English. 23 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs Quinlivan, Mark (24 November 2023). "Election 2023: National, ACT and NZ First's Coalition agreement". Newshub. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
34. ^ a b c d e f g "Live: Luxon makes call to Gov-General to say he can form a govt". 1 News. TVNZ. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Palmer, Russell (24 November 2023). "Coalition details at a glance: What you need to know". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Daalder, Mark (24 November 2023). "Which policies survived the negotiations – and which didn't". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
37. ^ a b c d "New government plans to review Treaty of Waitangi principles". Radio New Zealand. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "What the new government may mean for Māori, Te Tiriti". 1 News. TVNZ. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m LaHatte, Deborah (24 November 2023). "Treaty issues among policy compromises for new government". Te Ao Māori News. Māori Television. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
40. ^ a b c Hill, Ruth (26 November 2023). "Coalition government inquiry into pandemic response could undermine Royal Commission – expert". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
41. ^ a b Martin, Hannah (3 December 2023). "What we know about the Government's Covid-19 inquiry". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
42. ^ "Government confirms its 100-day plan". Radio New Zealand. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
43. ^ "The Post". www.thepost.co.nz. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
44. ^ Hooton, Matthew (29 November 2023). "Kiwi coalition marks return to the right". The Australian. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
45. ^ Cooke, Henry (4 November 2023). "Bumpy roads ahead: New Zealand's incoming PM set to lead a three-headed, 'anti-woke' government". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
46. ^ Associated Press (14 October 2023). "New Zealand elects conservative Christopher Luxon as premier after 6 years of liberal rule". Politico. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
47. ^ a b c Palmer, Russell (7 December 2023). "Gaza ceasefire debate: Opposition pleas for stronger statement largely rejected". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
48. ^ a b c Neilson, Michael (7 December 2023). "Israel-Hamas war: Government Gaza ceasefire motion debated by politicians". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
49. ^ "Waka Kotahi to use its English name first after pressure from government". Radio New Zealand. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
50. ^ "Te Pūkenga to be replaced with 8–10 institutions – minister". Radio New Zealand. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
51. ^ Pocock, James (8 December 2023). "Christopher Luxon puts brakes on Napier-Wairoa rail during Hawke's Bay visit". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
52. ^ "Government delays NCEA literacy, numeracy tests prerequisite". Radio New Zealand. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
53. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (13 December 2023). "New Government passes its first bill, reverting Reserve Bank to single mandate". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
54. ^ "Interislander ferry fleet project to wind down after being denied further government funding". Radio New Zealand. 13 December 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
55. ^ "Parliament repeals Fair Pay Agreements". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
56. ^ Stanford, Emma (11 December 2023). "Protesters wanting to keep Fair Pay Agreements target ACT leader's office". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
57. ^ "Retailers welcome demise of 'unnecessary' Fair Pay Agreements legislation". Radio New Zealand. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
58. ^ "Government repeals Clean Car Discount". Stuff. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
59. ^ Martin, Robin (16 December 2023). "Minister pulls brakes on cycling and walking initiatives". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
60. ^ "Let's Get Wellington Moving grinds to a halt". Stuff. 17 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
61. ^ Bishop, Chris (20 December 2023). "NBA and SPA successfully repealed". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
62. ^ Willis, Nicola (20 December 2023). "Fiscal repair job underway". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
63. ^ "Government passes legislation to fully reinstate 90-day trials". Radio New Zealand. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
64. ^ "Employment Relations (Trial Periods) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
65. ^ "The Effect of Trial Periods in Employment on Firm Hiring Behaviour (WP 16/03) | The Treasury New Zealand". www.treasury.govt.nz. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
66. ^ "$50 million to lift immunisation rates". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
67. ^ Collins, Judith; Peters, Winston (12 January 2024). "NZ support for strikes against Houthis". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
68. ^ "NZ Govt throws support behind US, UK's strikes in Yemen". 1 News. TVNZ. 12 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
69. ^ "National-led government officially cancels Auckland Light Rail plans". Radio New Zealand. 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
70. ^ "Watch live: NZ sending Defence Force team to Red Sea to provide maritime security, Christopher Luxon fronts post-Cabinet press conference". The New Zealand Herald. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
71. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (23 January 2024). "Labour, Greens warn of escalating risks as Government deploys military to Red Sea". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
72. ^ Miller, Geoffrey (24 January 2024). "New Zealand's huge shift in the Middle East". Democracy Project. Victoria University of Wellington. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
73. ^ "Government formally withdraws bill to lower voting age in council elections". Radio New Zealand. 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
74. ^ "Government scraps Bill to lower voting age in council elections". 1 News. 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
75. ^ "NZ halts funding for beleaguered UN aid agency". Radio New Zealand. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
76. ^ "AUKUS: Australian officials to brief New Zealand govt on Pillar Two this year". Radio New Zealand. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
77. ^ Corlett, Eva (2 February 2024). "New Zealand steps up interest in Aukus as Pacific security concerns grow". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
78. ^ "Government announces minimum wage to rise from April 1". 1 News. TVNZ. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
79. ^ "Government mulls expanding inquiry into Covid-19 response". Radio New Zealand. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
80. ^ "Government announces $63 million cyclone recovery boost". 1 News. TVNZ. 11 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
81. ^ "More beneficiaries to face sanctions under new Govt – minister". 1 News. 11 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
82. ^ a b "Parliament repeals Three Waters programme under urgency". Radio New Zealand. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
83. ^ "Labour's Three Waters legislation repealed". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
84. ^ "Benefit sanctions to ramp up with 'work check-ins' – Minister Louise Upston". Radio New Zealand. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
85. ^ "New support for Ukraine". New Zealand Defence Force. 22 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
86. ^ Goldsmith, Paul; Mitchell, Mark (25 February 2024). "Government backs police to crackdown on gangs". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
87. ^ Harawira, Tumamao (28 February 2024). "Parliament passes bill to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora". Te Ao Māori News. Whakaata Māori. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
88. ^ "Smokefree generation law scrapped by coalition government". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
89. ^ "NZ designated all of Hamas a terrorist entity". 1 News. TVNZ. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
90. ^ "'Military academy' for youth offenders to be trialled from mid-2024". 1 News. TVNZ. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
91. ^ Desmarais, Felix (6 March 2024). "Bill passes to remove taxpayer funding for cultural reports". 1 News. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
92. ^ Bishop, Chris; Jones, Shane (7 March 2024). "One-stop shop major projects on the fast track". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
93. ^ Bishop, Chris (7 March 2024). "Unlocking investment in Build-To-Rent developments". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
94. ^ Reti, Shane (8 March 2024). "Health targets will deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
95. ^ Seymour, David (10 March 2024). "Government agrees to restore interest deductions". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
96. ^ "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unable to assure promised Budget surplus amid tax cuts". Radio New Zealand. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
97. ^ "Mortgage tax deductions to be restored from April - Seymour". RNZ. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
98. ^ "Major workplace and public holiday changes signalled by Govt". 1 News. TVNZ. 13 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
99. ^ Milne, Jonathan (13 March 2024). "New army barracks to spearhead move to public-private partnerships". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
100. ^ "Government drops need for councils to comply with Significant Natural Areas provisions". RNZ. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
101. ^ "Andrew Hoggard walks back environment announcement after experts call it unlawful". Newshub. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
102. ^ "FM announces detail of South East Asian tour". Inside Government. JSL Media. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
103. ^ "Winston Peters wades into India-Canada spat over Sikh leader's death". 1 News. TVNZ. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
104. ^ Craymer, Lucy; Qiu, Stella (18 March 2024). "New Zealand raises South China Sea, Taiwan tensions with China during foreign minister's visit". Reuters. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
105. ^ Zhou, Laura (18 March 2024). "China and New Zealand are a 'force for stability' in a turbulent world, says Foreign Minister Wang Yi". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
106. ^ Desmarais, Felix (18 March 2024). "Harder line on unruly Kāinga Ora tenants, overdue rent - government". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
107. ^ McConnell, Glen; Bhatia, Ripu (19 March 2024). "Parents worried their children will suffer after disability services suddenly cut". Stuff. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
108. ^ "We got it wrong on disability announcement - Minister Penny Simmonds". Radio New Zealand. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
109. ^ McConnell, Glen (19 March 2024). "Finance Minister Nicola Willis calls in officials after cuts to disability services". Stuff. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
110. ^ "Government agrees to slash road user charges for plug-in hybrids". Radio New Zealand. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
111. ^ "EVs, plug-in hybrids to pay road user charges from 1 April". Radio New Zealand. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
112. ^ "'Crackdown': Total ban on disposable vapes, retailer fines increase". 1 News. TVNZ. 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
113. ^ Willis, Nicola; Watts, Simon (27 March 2024). "Passage of major tax bill welcomed". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024.
114. ^ "EV and plug-in hybrid RUC legislation". Radio New Zealand. 28 March 2024. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
115. ^ "Government halts plans for Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary". Radio New Zealand. 28 March 2024. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
116. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ensor, Jamie (24 November 2023). "Election 2023 coalition agreement live updates: Christopher Luxon, David Seymour, Winston Peters reveal Government policy, ministers". Newshub. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
117. ^ "Joint statement – Prime Ministers of New Zealand, Australia and Canada". Beehive.govt.nz (Press release). New Zealand Government. 13 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
118. ^ "NZ designates entirety of Hamas as terrorist entity". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
119. ^ Stewart, Ella (18 December 2023). "Health Minister Shane Reti responsible for review of 'affirmative action' scheme he graduated from in 1980s". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
120. ^ Franks, Raphael (24 November 2023). "Pseudoephedrine back on shelves: Seymour's new Govt win". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
121. ^ "The Post". Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
122. ^ Jones, Nicholas (24 November 2023). "Who are the new Cabinet ministers? Full list revealed in National-Act-NZ First Government". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
123. ^ "Who gets what? List of New Zealand's new ministers". 1 News. TVNZ. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
124. ^ Desmarais, Felix (24 November 2023). "Coalition deal: Peters to be deputy prime minister first, followed by Seymour". 1 News. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
125. ^ a b "Iwi files for urgent tribunal hearing on government's te reo Māori, Treaty of Waitangi policies". Radio New Zealand. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
126. ^ a b Pennington, Phil (12 December 2023). "Te reo Māori: Govt seeks to halt extra pay for public servants fluent in the language". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
127. ^ a b "Legal action over plans to scrap Māori Health Authority". 1 News. TVNZ. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
128. ^ a b Mao, Frances (27 November 2023). "New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new government's shock reversal". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
129. ^ "Public Service Te Reo Bonuses Should Be Resigned To The Scrap Heap | Scoop News". New Zealand Taxpayers' Union. Scoop. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
130. ^ "Kīngi Tūheitia issues call for national hui for unity". Radio New Zealand. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
131. ^ Ensor, Jamie (6 December 2023). "Kīngitanga issues 'royal proclamation' for Māori to assemble in face of new Govt policies". Newshub. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
132. ^ "Crown opposes urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim to halt disestablishment of Maori Health Authority". The New Zealand Herald. 20 December 2023. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
133. ^ Howie, Cherie (26 November 2023). "Politics: Planned coalition changes to smoking, vaping laws under fire". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
134. ^ Hurihangangui, Te Aniwa (23 December 2023). "Third urgent claim in less than a month made to Waitangi Tribunal". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
135. ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (10 January 2024). "Iwi files legal action against Govt over public sector te reo plans". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
136. ^ a b Pearse, Adam (19 January 2024). "Leaked ministry advice suggests proposed Treaty Principles Bill 'highly contentious'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
137. ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (16 January 2024). "More details emerge from Luxon's meeting with Māori King". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
138. ^ "Thousands attend national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae". 1 News. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
139. ^ Pearse, Adam (20 January 2024). "Hui's white supremacy claims against government 'premature', says National minister Tama Potaka". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
140. ^ de Silva, Tommy (23 January 2024). "This week's hui at Rātana pā explained". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
141. ^ a b "Rātana: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warned over te Tiriti o Waitangi". Radio New Zealand. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
142. ^ O'Brien, Tova (25 January 2024). "'Three-headed taniwha', government the enemy of Māori – Rātana criticism should give PM pause". Stuff. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
143. ^ "Govt faces another Waitangi Tribunal claim over smokefree legislation". 1 News. TVNZ. 3 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
144. ^ "Waitangi Tribunal claim lodged over government's smokefree policies". Te Ao Māori News. Māori Television. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
145. ^ Lynch, Jenna (4 February 2024). "New Zealand First promises to review Waitangi Tribunal and push for a reset". Newshub. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
146. ^ "Waitangi Day 2024: All the speeches and action from the Treaty Grounds on 5 February". Radio New Zealand. 5 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
147. ^ a b Clark, Emily (6 February 2024). "Māori protesters march to Waitangi for historic protest as simmering tensions boil over". ABC News. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
148. ^ Paewai, Pokere (6 February 2024). "Waitangi 2024: Thousands stand in unity to challenge government on Treaty principles". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
149. ^ "Waitangi Day 2024: Government denies it's 'delegitimising' Māori, blames previous government". Radio New Zealand. 5 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
150. ^ "Winston Peters delivers State of the Nation speech". Radio New Zealand. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
151. ^ "Stuff". Stuff. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
152. ^ Pearse, Adam (17 March 2024). "NZ First leader Winston Peters compares co-governance to Nazi Germany, says promised tax cuts 'not impossible'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
153. ^ "Winston Peters 'not going back' on co-governance Nazi reference". RNZ. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
154. ^ "Peters doubles down on 'Nazi Germany' comments, promises more today". Otago Daily Times Online News. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
155. ^ "In fiery interview Winston Peters says Luxon 'misinformed' by media". 1News. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
156. ^ a b c Huston, Jemina (28 November 2023). "Axing sexuality, relationship education guidelines would be 'huge mistake' warns co-writer". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
157. ^ a b c "Govt's plan to axe sex, gender guidelines in schools 'concerning'". 1 News. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
158. ^ a b c Tyson, Jessica (1 December 2023). "Removing and replacing relationship education a step backwards in ending sexual violence, say experts". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
159. ^ Napier, Liam (21 December 2023). "Transgender athletes could be banned from publicly funded women's sport under new Government policy". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
160. ^ Desmarais, Felix (17 August 2023). "Luxon says NZ First transgender bathrooms policy 'on another planet'". 1 News. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
161. ^ Blackwell, Finn (26 November 2023). "New proposed tenancy policies put renters against landlords". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
162. ^ Dunn, Jordan (2 January 2024). "'Tenants who have pets often stay' – greyhound rehomers". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
163. ^ Doyle, Trent. "National's Chris Bishop blasts letter from Free Speech Union, asks to 'cancel my membership'". Newshub. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Sixth National Government of New Zealand

Leadership|

| Prime Minister|

* Christopher Luxon

|

Deputy Prime Minister|

* Winston Peters

Political parties|

* National (majority partner)
* ACT
* New Zealand First (coalition partners)

Ministers|

| Cabinet|

| National|

* Christopher Luxon
* Nicola Willis
* Chris Bishop
* Shane Reti
* Simeon Brown
* Erica Stanford
* Paul Goldsmith
* Louise Upston
* Judith Collins
* Mark Mitchell
* Todd McClay
* Tama Potaka
* Matt Doocey
* Melissa Lee

|

ACT|

* David Seymour
* Brooke van Velden
* Nicole McKee

NZ First|

* Winston Peters
* Shane Jones
* Casey Costello

Non-
Cabinet|

| National|

* Simon Watts
* Penny Simmonds
* Chris Penk
* Nicola Grigg
* Andrew Bayly

|

ACT|

* Andrew Hoggard
* Karen Chhour

NZ First|

* Mark Patterson

Parliamentary
leadership|

| Speaker of the House|

* Gerry Brownlee

|

Leader of the House|

* Chris Bishop

Chief Government Whip|

* Scott Simpson

Elections
(parliaments)|

* 2023 (54th)

Policies and spending|

| Budgets|

2023 mini-budget

|

* Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Discount Scheme Repeal) Amendment Act 2023

Other offices|

| Governor-General|

* Dame Cindy Kiro

|

Chief Justice|

* Dame Helen Winkelmann

Leader of the Opposition|

* Chris Hipkins

* 2023–present

* ← Sixth Labour Government

* v
* t
* e

Governments of New Zealand

Executives without power|

* Fitzgerald
* Forsaith

Responsible government|

* Sewell
* Fox (first)
* Stafford (first)
* Fox (second)
* Domett
* Whitaker-Fox
* Weld
* Stafford (second)
* Fox (third)
* Stafford (third)
* Waterhouse
* Fox (fourth)
* Vogel (first)
* Pollen
* Vogel (second)
* Continuous Ministry
* Atkinson (first)
* Atkinson (second)
* Grey
* Hall
* Whitaker
* Atkinson (third)
* Stout-Vogel (first)
* Atkinson (fourth)
* Stout-Vogel (second)
* Atkinson (fifth)

Governments along party lines|

* Liberal (1891–1912)
* Reform (1912–1928)
* United (1928–1931)
* United–Reform coalition (1931–1935)
* First Labour (1935–1949)
* First National (1949–1957)
* Second Labour (1957–1960)
* Second National (1960–1972)
* Third Labour (1972–1975)
* Third National (1975–1984)
* Fourth Labour (1984–1990)
* Fourth National (1990–1999)
* Fifth Labour (1999–2008)
* Fifth National (2008–2017)
* Sixth Labour (2017–2023)
* Sixth National (Current)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template