1. History

2. Selection

3. Role

4. List of leaders

5. See also

6. References

The Leader of the Labour Party is the highest ranked politician within the Labour Party in New Zealand. The officeholder 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 MP for Mount Albert.^[1]

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, having served for 14 years, 346 days between 1993 and 2008.^[2] Peter Fraser is the longest-serving Labour Prime Minister, serving 9 years, 261 days between 1940 and 1949.

Selection

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.^[3] A shortlist of candidates is nominated from within the caucus. When the position is contested, the Leader is elected in a vote split among the party's caucus, party members and party affiliates (unions) in a 40/40/20 split respectively.^[4] Prior to 2013, the Leader was elected solely by the caucus (this practice remains for the Deputy Leadership). 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.^[3]

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.^[5] 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 (including Acting Leaders):

†: Died in office

note 1: 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.

See also

• Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party
• Leader of the New Zealand National Party

References

• Broughton Junior School
• Broughton, Lancashire
• Broughton Lane railway station
• Broughton London Prize Ring
• Broughton Mills
• Broughton Moor
• Broughton (name)
• Broughton, North Yorkshire
• Broughton, Nova Scotia
• Broughton, Oxfordshire
• Broughton Park
• Broughton, Peeblesshire
• Broughton Poggs
• Broughton Rangers
• Broughton, Richard
• Broughton, Ryedale
• Broughtons
• Broughton, Salford
• Broughton, Scotland
• Broughton, Scottish Borders
• Broughton Shopping Park
• Broughton Township, Livingston County, Illinois
• Broughton, Tweeddale
• Broughton, Wales
• Broughton West