Changes

There is no written constitution: the Constitution Act 1986 is the principal formal statement of New Zealand's constitutional structure. The rules regulating the running of the country are primarily constitutional conventions which are not codified and subject to evolution.  Despite this unconventional approach to governance New Zealand is yet to have any major constitutional crises. The Governor-General has the power to appoint and dismiss Prime Ministers and to dissolve Parliament. The Governor-General also chairs the Executive Council, which is a formal committee consisting of all ministers of the Crown. Members of the Executive Council are required to be Members of Parliament, and most are also in Cabinet. Cabinet is the most senior policy-making body and is led by the Prime Minister, who is also, by convention, the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or coalition.

There is no written constitution: the Constitution Act 1986 is the principal formal statement of New Zealand's constitutional structure. The rules regulating the running of the country are primarily constitutional conventions which are not codified and subject to evolution.  Despite this unconventional approach to governance New Zealand is yet to have any major constitutional crises. The Governor-General has the power to appoint and dismiss Prime Ministers and to dissolve Parliament. The Governor-General also chairs the Executive Council, which is a formal committee consisting of all ministers of the Crown. Members of the Executive Council are required to be Members of Parliament, and most are also in Cabinet. Cabinet is the most senior policy-making body and is led by the Prime Minister, who is also, by convention, the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or coalition.

The current Prime Minister is the far-Left [[Jacinda Ardern]],  leader of the New Zealand Labour Party .  

The current Prime Minister is Chris Hipkins, leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, replacing the far-Left [[Jacinda Ardern]] in both capacities in January 2023.  

Following the 8th of November 2008 election, the National Party had signed confidence and supply agreements with the ACT, the Māori Party and United Future, allowing them to form a government. This entitled some members of the above parties to ministerial positions outside of cabinet. Keys and his party retained power, able to form a minority government following the general election on 20 September 2014; however the General Election of September 2017 saw the Nationals defeated by the New Zealand Labour Party. Jacinda Ardern became leader of the party and subsequently, Prime Minister.  

Following the 8th of November 2008 election, the National Party had signed confidence and supply agreements with the ACT, the Māori Party and United Future, allowing them to form a government. This entitled some members of the above parties to ministerial positions outside of cabinet. Keys and his party retained power, able to form a minority government following the general election on 20 September 2014; however the General Election of September 2017 saw the Nationals defeated by the New Zealand Labour Party. Jacinda Ardern became leader of the party and subsequently, Prime Minister.