Precursor David Cunliffe Formation 7 July 1916 Website Labour Party profile | Inaugural holder Alfred Hindmarsh Deputy Jacinda Ardern | |
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The Leader of the Labour Party is the highest ranked politician within the Labour Party in New Zealand. Since 18 November 2014, the office has been held by Andrew Little, who is a List MP.
Contents
Annette King is the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, elected on the same day. She previously served as the Deputy Leader between 2008 and 2011 under Phil Goff, making her the only person to hold the office twice.
History
The post of Leader of the Labour Party was officially created upon the party's inception in 1916, though the title "Leader" was often substituted and/or complimented with the title "Chairman". In 1935, Michael Joseph Savage became the first ever Labour Prime Minister, following a landslide victory. In 1963, Arnold Nordmeyer became the first Leader of the Labour Party to have been born in New Zealand. Prior to this, three Leaders had been born in Australia and one each in England and Scotland. The most electorally successful Labour Leader to date is Helen Clark, who won three elections in 1999, 2002 and 2005. Clark is also the Labour Party's longest serving leader serving 14 years, 346 days between 1993 and 2008. Peter Fraser is the longest serving Labour Prime Minister, serving 9 years, 261 days between 1940 and 1949.
Selection
Unlike other political party leaders, the Labour Party's Leader does not have the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy. Both the Leader and Deputy Leader are elected. The Labour Party elects its Leader in a vote split among the party's caucus, party members and party affiliates (unions) in a 40/40/20 split respectively. Prior to 2013, the Leader was elected solely by the parliamentary caucus. This practice remains for the Deputy Leadership.
Unique to Labour, the party's caucus possesses the right to elect MPs to Cabinet, rather than the Leader choosing them. The practice began following the 1940 leadership election. Michael Joseph Savage was the only leader to solely appoint his own cabinet following the election victories in 1935 and 1938.
Role
When the Labour Party forms the Parliamentary Opposition, as it currently does, the Leader of the Labour Party usually acts as the Leader of the Opposition, and chairs a Shadow Cabinet. Concordantly, when the Party is in Government, the Leader would become the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Leaders of the Labour Party
The following is a complete list of Labour Party leaders (including Acting Leaders):
Key:
Labour Reform United National
PM: Prime Minister
LO: Leader of the Opposition
†: Died in office
Note: ×Deputy Leaders who assumed the role of party leader temporarily because of the death or resignation of the incumbent, serving until the election of a new leader.
Deputy Leaders of the Labour Party
The following is a complete list of Labour Party deputy leaders.