Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party


The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is the second-most senior politician within the Labour Party in New Zealand. The officeholder deputises for the Leader of the Labour Party at party-specific events. Unlike other political party leaders, the Labour Party's Leader does not have the power to dismiss or appoint their Deputy; both the Leader and Deputy Leader are elected. In all cases where the leadership is vacant, the Deputy Leader shall also serve as Acting Leader until a new leadership election. When the Labour Party forms the Official Opposition the Deputy Leader typically serves as Deputy Leader of the Opposition. When Labour forms the government the deputy leader is automatically given a seat in cabinet.
Kelvin Davis is the current Deputy Leader, elected on 1 August 2017.

History

The position of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party was created in 1919, three years after the party's creation. The first holder, James McCombs, was bestowed the role after he lost the draw of lots to Harry Holland in the leadership election that year. It was not until 1974 that the first deputy to have been born in New Zealand, Bob Tizard. Prior to this, three deputy leaders had been born in Australia, two in England and one each in Ireland and Scotland. The Labour Party's longest-serving deputy leader, having served for 11 years, 4 months and 12 days between 1963 and 1974, was Hugh Watt.
To date, a total of seven Deputy Leaders have gone on to become the elected leader of the Labour Party. Two Deputy Leaders have died in office.

List of deputy leaders

The following is a complete list of Labour Party deputy leaders. Some deputies served concurrently as acting party leader.

Living former deputy leaders

There are eight living former deputy leaders. The most recent deputy leader to die was Bob Tizard on 28 January 2016.
LeaderTerm of officeDate of birth
Sir Geoffrey Palmer1983–1989
Helen Clark1989–1993
David Caygill1993–1996
Sir Michael Cullen1996–2008
Dame Annette King2008–2011
Dame Annette King2014–2017
Grant Robertson2011–2013
David Parker2013–2014
Jacinda Ardern2017