List of prime ministers of New Zealand


The prime minister is the head of government of New Zealand, and the leader of the Cabinet of New Zealand, with various powers and responsibilities defined by convention. Officially, the prime minister is appointed by the governor-general of New Zealand, but by convention, the prime minister must have the confidence of the elected New Zealand House of Representatives. The prime minister is always a member of Parliament, and is usually the leader of the largest political party in the House.
This list includes individuals who held the titles of colonial secretary and premier, the direct predecessors to the modern office. The title of the office was formally changed to "premier" in 1869, and then to "prime minister" in 1907 when New Zealand was granted Dominion status in the British Empire. Forty individuals have so far held the premiership, not including acting prime ministers. Henry Sewell is regarded as New Zealand's first premier, serving in May 1856. Nine prime ministers have held the position for more than one discrete term in office. The longest single term in office was that of Richard Seddon, who held the position for thirteen years between 1893 and 1906. The incumbent Prime Minister is Jacinda Ardern, who assumed office on 26 October 2017.

List

The parties shown are those to which the Prime Ministers belonged at the time they held office and the electoral districts shown are those they represented while in office. Several Prime Ministers belonged to parties other than those given and represented other electorates before and after their time in office.
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Timeline