New Zealand Parliament

The New Zealand Parliament is the legislative body of the New Zealand government.

Members of Parliament

The House of Representatives takes as its model the British House of Commons. It normally consists of 120 reprentatives, known as "Members of Parliament" or MPs. Until 1951 they had the title of 'Members of the House of Representatives' or MHRs. Seats in the debating chamber form a horseshoe pattern, with members of the governing party or coalition sitting on the right hand of the Speaker and members of the opposition sitting opposite. The Speaker of the House of Representatives acts as the presiding officer.

Related Topics:
House of Commons - 1951 - Speaker of the House of Representatives

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The executive branch of the New Zealand government (the Cabinet) draws its membership exclusively from Parliament, based on which party or parties can claim a majority. The Prime Minister (PM) leads the government: the Governor-General appoints the PM from a party or from a coalition which appears to have enough support in the House to govern. This support is immediately tested through a Motion of Confidence. The current government is a coalition between Labour and the Progressive Party; the Prime Minister is Helen Clark. The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest opposition party. Currently the Leader of the Opposition is Don Brash of the National Party.

Related Topics:
Executive branch - Cabinet - Prime Minister - Governor-General - Motion of Confidence - Labour - Progressive Party - Helen Clark - Leader of the Opposition - Don Brash - National Party

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For information on current members of Parliament, see 47th New Zealand Parliament.

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