1. Home
  2. Global Insights
  3. By Country
  4. New Zealand
  5. Government

New Zealand: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
King Charles III represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon; Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters

Overview

Government Name:
New Zealand
Constitution:
Adopted: 1987; Consists of a collection of statutes. No supreme document or supreme law in the constitution, and the constitution is not elevated above any other law.
Government Type:
Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
New Zealand Flag
Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

A2
The political and economic situation is good. A basically stable and efficient business environment nonetheless leaves room for improvement. Corporate default probability is low on average. Source: Coface (2023)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

Monarch has formal role in executive, but also in charge of formation and dismissal of governments. Governor-general acts as the monarch's vice-regal representative, has a ceremonial role in terms of traveling to attend conferences, and summons or dissolves parliament. The prime minister sets cabinet agenda, as well as appoints and dismisses ministers.

Monarch is hereditary, governor-general is appointed by the monarch, and prime minister is appointed by the governor-general.

Governor-General & Prime Minister: At His Majesty's discretion
Judicial

Acts as the highest court and the court of last resort for New Zealand.

Appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General.

Life appointment, mandatory retirement at age 70
Legislative

House of Representatives serves as the sole house in parliament and proposes bills to later become laws. They become Acts after being approved three times by house votes and then receiving the Royal Assent from the Governor-General.

Elections are by the Mixed Member Proportional electoral system (MMP).

3 years

Regional Trade Blocs
APEC
TPP

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Inland Revenue & New Zealand Customs
Tax Name:
GST

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/