The New Zealand National Party, shortened to National or the Nats, is a centre-right New Zealand political party that is the current senior ruling party. It is one of two major parties that dominate contemporary New Zealand politics, alongside its traditional rival, the Labour Party.
Donald Thomas Brash is a former New Zealand politician who was Leader of the Opposition and leader of the New Zealand National Party from October 2003 to November 2006, and leader of the ACT New Zealand party for seven months from April to November 2011.
Gerard Anthony Brownlee is a New Zealand politician and the 32nd speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He was first elected as a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Ilam in 1996, representing the National Party. He became a list MP in 2020.
Murray Stuart McCully is a former New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2017.
The Official Opposition in New Zealand is usually the largest political party or coalition which is not a member of the ruling government—it does not provide ministers. This is usually the second-largest party in the House of Representatives, although in certain unusual circumstances it may be the largest party or even a third or fourth party.
A parliamentary leader is a political title or a descriptive term used in various countries to designate the person leading a parliamentary group or caucus in a legislative body, whether it be a national or sub-national legislature. They are their party's most senior member of parliament (MP) in most parliamentary democracies.
Andrew Little assembled a shadow cabinet after he was elected Leader of the Labour Party in New Zealand. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (2014–17). As the Labour Party formed the largest party not in government, this Frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
New Zealand political leader Norman Kirk assembled a "shadow cabinet" system amongst the Labour caucus following his elevation to become Leader of the Opposition in 1965. However, he found it challenging to avoid it being composed mainly of Auckland and Christchurch MPs.
New Zealand political leader Jim McLay assembled a "shadow cabinet" system amongst the National caucus following his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1984. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1984–86). McLay was plagued by interference from previous leader Robert Muldoon, who was denied a place on National's frontbench which he desired, unlike McLay who wished him to retire to the backbenches as an 'elder statesmen'.
New Zealand political leader Helen Clark assembled a "shadow cabinet" system amongst the Labour caucus following her election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1993. She composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while she was Leader of the Opposition (1993–99).
New Zealand political leader Jim Bolger assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1986. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1986–90).
New Zealand political leader David Lange assembled a shadow cabinet system amongst the Labour caucus following his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1983. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was leader (1983–84).
New Zealand political leader John Key assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 2006. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (2006–2008).
New Zealand political leader Jenny Shipley assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after her election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1999. She composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while she was Leader of the Opposition (1999–2001).
The Shadow Cabinet of Bill English formed the official Opposition in the 46th and 47th New Zealand Parliaments while Bill English led the New Zealand National Party, which was the largest party not a member of the Government. English was elected National Party leader unopposed in October 2001. He led the Party to its worst-ever result at the 2002 general election and was replaced as leader by first-term MP Don Brash in October 2003.
New Zealand political leader Mike Moore assembled a shadow cabinet system amongst the Labour caucus following his change of position to Leader of the Opposition in 1990. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was the leader (1990–93).
New Zealand political leader Robert Muldoon assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1974. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1974–75).
New Zealand political leader Jack Marshall assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his change to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1972. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1972–74). As the National Party formed the largest party not in government at the time, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition within the New Zealand House of Representatives.
New Zealand political leader Robert Muldoon assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his transition to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1984 following National's defeat at the 1984 election. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition.
New Zealand political leader Keith Holyoake assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his change to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1957. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1957–60). As the National Party formed the largest party not in government at the time, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition within the New Zealand House of Representatives.
