Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party


The Leader of the Labour Party is the highest ranked politician within the New Zealand Labour Party. He or she serves as the parliamentary leader and leading spokesperson of the party. Since 1 August 2017, the office has been held by Jacinda Ardern, who is the Member of Parliament for Mount Albert.

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 complemented with the title "Chairman". In 1935, Michael Joseph Savage became the first Labour Prime Minister, following a landslide victory. In 1963, Arnold Nordmeyer became the first New Zealand-born Leader of the Labour Party; three previous 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, having served for 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

The Leader must be a Member of Parliament. A new Leader is elected whenever a vacancy arises, whether due to resignation, incapacitation, or following a motion of no confidence by the parliamentary caucus. Each candidates is put forward by a nominator and seconder in the caucus. Since 2013, the Leader in a contested election is determined by a vote split among the party's caucus, party members and party affiliates in a 40/40/20 split respectively. Prior to 2013, the Leader was elected solely by the caucus. No later than three months following a general election, there must be a caucus vote to endorse the Leader; if the Leader fails to receive endorsement then an election is triggered.

Role

When the Labour Party forms the Parliamentary Opposition, the Leader of the Party usually acts as the Leader of the Opposition, and chairs a Shadow Cabinet. Likewise, when the party is in Government, as it currently is, the Leader typically becomes the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
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.

List of leaders

The following is a complete list of Labour Party leaders :
Key:



PM: Prime Minister

LO: Leader of the Opposition

†: Died in office