New Zealand National party - Wikipedia New Zealand National party New Zealand National Party Rōpū Nāhinara o Aotearoa President Peter Goodfellow Leader Bill English Deputy Leader Paula Bennett Founded 14 May 1936 ; 81 years ago ( 1936 - 05 - 14 ) Preceded by United -- Reform Coalition Headquarters 41 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 Youth wing Young Nationals Ideology Liberal conservatism Political position Centre - right Regional affiliation Asia Pacific Democrat Union International affiliation International Democrat Union Colours Blue Slogan Delivering for New Zealanders MPs in the House of Representatives 56 / 120 Website www.national.org.nz Politics of New Zealand Political parties Elections The New Zealand National Party ( Māori : Rōpū Nāhinara o Aotearoa ), shortened to National ( Nāhinara ) or the Nats, is a centre - right political party in New Zealand. It is one of two major parties in contemporary New Zealand politics, alongside its historic rival, the New Zealand Labour Party. National is New Zealand 's second - oldest extant political party, originating in 1936 with the merger of the two main conservative parties, Reform and United. They had previously formed a coalition against the growing labour movement. National has governed for five periods in the course of the 20th and 21st centuries -- it has held office in New Zealand for more years than any other party. Historically, the party 's policy platform shifted from moderate economic liberalism to increased emphasis on state interventionism under the Third National Government ( 1975 to 1984 ). Following the free - market reforms of the rival Labour Government in the 1980s, National has again advocated free enterprise, reduction of taxes, and individual rights. From 2008 to 2017, National was the largest party in a minority government with support from the centrist United Future, the classical - liberal ACT Party and the indigenous - rights - based Māori Party. Bill English has been the party leader since 12 December 2016. At the 2017 general election, the party gained 44.4 % of the party vote and won 56 seats in the House of Representatives. It currently comprises the largest caucus in the House of Representatives, and forms the Official Opposition. Contents 1 Principles and policies 2 History 2.1 Formation 2.2 First National Government ( 1949 -- 1957 ) 2.3 Second National Government ( 1960 -- 1972 ) 2.4 Third National Government ( 1975 -- 1984 ) 2.5 Fourth National Government ( 1990 -- 1999 ) 2.6 Opposition ( 1999 -- 2008 ) 2.7 Fifth National Government ( 2008 -- 2017 ) 3 Organisation 4 Electoral results 5 Parliamentary leaders 6 Deputy leaders 7 Party presidents 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links Principles and policies This article is part of a series on Conservatism in New Zealand Factions Liberal conservatism Social conservatism Centrism Populism Principles Economic liberalism Law and order Property rights Protectionism historical Rule of law Small government Tradition Figures Frederick Whitaker Harry Atkinson William Russell William Massey Francis Bell Gordon Coates George Forbes Adam Hamilton Albert Davy John Ormond Sidney Holland Keith Holyoake Jack Marshall Robert Muldoon Jim McLay Jim Bolger Bob McCoskrie Ruth Richardson Jenny Shipley Cameron Slater Bill Birch Gordon Copeland Bill English Richard Lewis Don Brash John Key Parties National Party New Zealand First National Front Conservatives Historical Continuous Ministry Reform Party United Party Democrat Party New Zealand Legion People 's Movement New Zealand Party Christian Heritage Party Conservative Party Christian Democrats Progressive Greens Destiny New Zealand The Kiwi Party Focus NZ The Family Party Organisations & media Bluegreens Coalition of Concerned Citizens Investigate Young Nationals Conservatism portal The New Zealand National Party 's principles has been characterised as encompassing both conservative and liberal tendencies ( with the two in tension ), and outlying populist and libertarian tendencies. The party 's principles, last revised in 2003, seek `` a safe, prosperous and successful New Zealand that creates opportunities for all New Zealanders to reach their personal goals and dreams ''. It supports a limited welfare state but says that work, merit, innovation and personal initiative must be encouraged to reduce unemployment and boost economic growth. Historically, the party has supported a higher degree of protectionism and interventionism than it has in recent decades. In a 1959 speech, party leader and Prime Minister Keith Holyoake encapsulated the conservative and liberal principles of the National Party : We believe in the maximum degree of personal freedom and the maximum degree of individual choice for our people. We believe in the least interference necessary with individual rights, and the least possible degree of state interference. The First, Second and Third National governments generally sought to preserve the economic and social stability of New Zealand, mainly keeping intact the high degree of protectionism and the strong welfare state built up by the First Labour Government. The last major interventionist policy was Prime Minister Robert Muldoon 's massive infrastructure projects designed to ensure New Zealand 's energy independence after the 1973 oil shock, `` Think Big ''. The Fourth National Government mostly carried on the sweeping free - market reforms of the Fourth Labour Government known as `` Rogernomics '', after Labour 's finance minister Sir Roger Douglas. The corporatisation and sale of numerous state - owned enterprises, the abolishment of collective bargaining and major government spending cuts were introduced under the Fourth National Government, policies that were popularly known as `` Ruthanasia '' ( National 's finance minister at the time was Ruth Richardson ). Following the moderate Fifth Labour Government, the Fifth National Government took power in 2008 under John Key. Historically, the National Party has tended to take a social conservative position on most political issues, though more recently in certain hot - button issues the party has taken a more social liberal stance. For instance, they extended free general practitioner visits to children under 13 as part of their 2014 election package, as well as extending paid parental leave by two weeks to 16 weeks. The National parliamentary caucus was split on the issue of same - sex marriage in 2014, with Key publicly supporting gay rights. In the most recent general election, in 2014, the National Party ran a campaign focusing on stability. They promised to limit new spending every year ( to $1.5 billion ), to not introduce any new taxes, and to improve the performance of public service organisations by setting performance - based ' Public Service Targets '. They also campaigned on the possibility of moderate tax cuts within the next few years and are generally in favour of free - trade agreements such as the Trans - Pacific Partnership. History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( June 2017 ) Formation The National Party was formed in May 1936, but its roots go considerably further back. The party came about as the result of a merger between the United Party ( known as the Liberal Party until 1927, except for a short period between 1925 and 1927 when it used the name `` National Party '' ) and the Reform Party. The United Party gained its main support from the cities, and drew upon businesses for money and upon middle class electors for votes, while the Reform Party had a rural base and received substantial support from farmers, who then formed a substantial proportion of the population. Liberal Party ( 1890 ) Reform Party ( 1909 ) United Party ( 1927 ) Independents ( 1931 ) United -- Reform coalition ( 1931 ) National Party ( 1936 ) Historically, the Liberal and Reform parties had competed against each other, but from 1931 until 1935 a United -- Reform Coalition held power in New Zealand. The coalition went into the 1935 election under the title of the `` National Political Federation '', a name adopted to indicate that the grouping intended to represent New Zealanders from all backgrounds ( in contrast to the previous situation, where United served city - dwellers and Reform served farmers ). However, because of the effects of the Great Depression and a perception that the existing coalition government had handled the situation poorly, the National Political Federation lost heavily in 1935 to the Labour Party, the rise of which had prompted the alliance. The two parties were cut down to 19 seats between them. Another factor was a third party, the Democrat Party formed by Albert Davy, a former organiser for the coalition who disapproved of the `` socialist '' measures that the coalition had introduced. The new party split the conservative vote and aided Labour 's victory. In hopes of countering Labour 's rise, United and Reform decided to turn their alliance into a single party. This party, the New Zealand National Party, was formed at a meeting held in Wellington on 13 and 14 May 1936. Erstwhile members of the United and Reform parties made up the bulk of the new party. The United Party 's last leader, George Forbes, Prime Minister from 1930 until 1935, opened the conference ; he served as Leader of the Opposition from May until November, when former Reform MP Adam Hamilton was elected the first leader. Hamilton led the party into its first election in 1938. He got the top job primarily because of a compromise between Forbes and Reform leader Gordon Coates, neither of whom wished to serve under the other. Hamilton, however, failed to counter Labour 's popular Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage effectively. Because of this, perceptions that he remained too much under the control of Coates and because he lacked real support from his party colleagues, Hamilton failed to prevent Labour 's re-election in 1938. In 1940 Sidney Holland replaced Hamilton. William Polson `` acted effectively as Holland 's deputy '' ( Gustafson ). One former Reform MP Herbert Kyle resigned in 1942 in protest at the `` autocratic '' behaviour of Holland and the new party organisation. In the 1943 election Labour 's majority was reduced, but it remained in power. In the 1946 election, National also failed to unseat Labour. However, in the 1949 election, thirteen years after the party 's foundation, National finally won power, and Holland became Prime Minister. First National government ( 1949 -- 1957 ) Main article : First National Government of New Zealand Sidney Holland was the first National Prime Minister, 1949 -- 1957 In 1949 National had campaigned on `` the private ownership of production, distribution and exchange ''. Once in power the new Holland Government proved decidedly administratively conservative, retaining, for instance, the welfare state set up by the previous Labour Government ; though National gained, and has largely kept, a reputation for showing more favour to farmers and to business than did the Labour Party. In 1951 the Waterfront Dispute broke out, lasting 151 days. The National government stepped into the conflict, acting in opposition to the maritime unions. Holland also used this opportunity to call the 1951 snap election. Campaigning on an anti-Communist platform and exploiting the Labour Opposition 's apparent indecisiveness, National returned with an increased majority, gaining 54 parliamentary seats out of 80. In the 1954 election, National was elected to a third term, though losing some of its seats. Towards the end of his third term, however, Holland became increasingly ill, and stepped down from the leadership shortly before the general election in 1957. Keith Holyoake, the party 's long - standing deputy leader, took Holland 's place. Holyoake, however, had insufficient time to establish himself in the public mind as Prime Minister, and lost in the election later that year to Labour, then led by Walter Nash. Second National government ( 1960 -- 1972 ) Main article : Second National Government of New Zealand Keith Holyoake, Prime Minister 1957 and 1960 -- 1972 Nash 's government became very unpopular as Labour acquired a reputation for poor economic management, and much of the public saw its 1958 Budget, known since as the `` Black Budget '', as miserly. After only one term in office, Labour suffered defeat at the hands of Holyoake and the National Party in the elections of 1960. Holyoake 's government lasted twelve years, the party gaining re-election three times ( in 1963, 1966, and 1969 ). However, this period Social Credit arose, which broke the National / Labour duopoly in parliament, winning former National seats from 1966. Holyoake retired from the premiership and from the party leadership at the beginning of 1972, and his deputy, Jack Marshall, replaced him. Marshall suffered the same fate as Holyoake. Having succeeded an experienced leader in an election - year, he failed to establish himself in time. Marshall had an added disadvantage ; he had to compete against the much more popular and charismatic Norman Kirk, then leader of the Labour Party, and lost the ensuing election. Unpopular policies, including initiating clear felling of parts of the Warawara kauri forest, also needlessly alienated voters. ( Adams 1980 ) Third National government ( 1975 -- 1984 ) Main article : Third National Government of New Zealand Sir Robert Muldoon, Prime Minister 1975 -- 1984 Within two years the National Party removed Marshall as its parliamentary leader and replaced him with Robert Muldoon, who had previously served as Minister of Finance. An intense contest between Kirk and Muldoon followed. Kirk became ill and died in office ( 1974 ) ; his successor, Bill Rowling, proved no match for Muldoon, and in the 1975 election, National under Muldoon returned comfortably to power. The Muldoon administration, which favoured interventionist economic policies, arouses mixed opinions amongst the free - market adherents of the modern National. Bill Birch 's `` Think Big '' initiatives, designed to invest public money in energy self - sufficiency, stand in contrast to the party 's contemporary views. Muldoon 's autocratic leadership style became increasingly unpopular with both the public and the party, and together with disgruntlement over economic policy led to an attempted leadership change in 1980. Led by ministers Derek Quigley, Jim McLay, and Jim Bolger, the challenge ( dubbed the `` colonels ' coup '' ) against Muldoon aimed to replace him with Brian Talboys, his deputy. However, the plan collapsed as the result of Talboys ' unwillingness, and Muldoon kept his position. A former National Party logo Under Muldoon, National won three consecutive general elections in 1975, 1978 and 1981. However, public dissatisfaction grew, and Muldoon 's controlling and belligerent style of leadership became less and less appealing. In both the 1978 and 1981 elections, National gained fewer votes than the Labour opposition, but could command a small majority in Parliament because of the then - used First Past the Post electoral system. Dissent within the National Party continued to grow, however, with rebel National MPs Marilyn Waring and Mike Minogue causing particular concern to the leadership, threatening National 's thin majority in parliament. When, in 1984, Marilyn Waring refused to support Muldoon 's policies on visits by nuclear - powered and nuclear - armed ships, Muldoon called a snap election. Muldoon made the television announcement of this election while visibly inebriated, and some believe that he later regretted the decision to `` go to the country ''. National lost the election to Labour under David Lange. Fourth National government ( 1990 -- 1999 ) Jim Bolger, Prime Minister 1990 -- 1997 Main article : Fourth National Government of New Zealand Shortly after this loss, the National Party removed Muldoon from the leadership. Jim McLay, who had replaced Brian Talboys as deputy leader shortly before the election, became the new leader. McLay, an urban liberal with right wing views on economics, however, failed to restore the party 's fortunes. In 1986 Jim Bolger took over the leadership with the support of centrists within the party. In the 1990 election National defeated Labour in an electoral landslide and formed a new government under Jim Bolger. However, the party lost some support from Muldoon era policy based conservatives when it continued the economic reforms which had ultimately led to the defeat of the previous Labour government -- these policies, started by Labour Party Finance Minister Roger Douglas and popularly known as Rogernomics, centred on the privatization of state assets and on the removal of tariffs and subsidies. These policies alienated traditional Labour supporters, who saw them as a betrayal of the party 's social service based character, but did not appear to appease the membership base of the non-parliamentary party either, which still had a significant supporter base for the statist intervention style policies of the Muldoon Government. Many more conservative and centrist National supporters preferred Muldoon 's more authoritarian and interventionist policies over the free - market liberalism promoted by Douglas. However, the new National Party Finance Minister, Ruth Richardson, strongly supported Rogernomics, believing that Douglas had not gone far enough. Her policies -- dubbed `` Ruthanasia '' -- encouraged two MPs to leave the National Party and form the New Zealand Liberal Party ( 1992 ). Richardson 's views also met with considerable opposition within the National Party Parliamentary Caucus and for a time caused damage to the party 's membership base. At the 1993 election, National was narrowly able to secure its position in government due partly to a strongly recovering economy, after its large majority disappeared and the country faced an election night hung parliament -- National one seat short of the required 50 seats to govern. With special votes counted in the following days, National won Waitaki, allowing it to form a government but requiring the election of a Speaker from the opposition benches ( Peter Tapsell of the Labour Party ) to hold a working majority in the House. At the same time as the election, however, a referendum took place which established the MMP electoral system for future use in New Zealand general elections. This would have a significant impact on New Zealand politics. Some National Party MPs defected to a new grouping, United New Zealand in mid-1995. And as a result of the new electoral mechanics, the New Zealand First party, led by former National MP and former Cabinet minister Winston Peters, held the balance of power after the 1996 election. After a prolonged period of negotiation lasting nearly two months, in which New Zealand First played National and Labour off against each other ( both parties negotiated complete coalition agreements ), New Zealand First entered into a coalition with National. Under the coalition agreement, Peters became Deputy Prime Minister and had the post of Treasurer especially created by the Crown for him. New Zealand First extracted a number of other concessions from National in exchange for its support. The influence of New Zealand First angered many National MPs, particularly Jenny Shipley. Jenny Shipley, Prime Minister 1997 -- 1999 When, in 1997, Shipley toppled Bolger to become National 's new leader, relations between National and its coalition partner deteriorated. After Shipley sacked Peters from Cabinet in 1998, New Zealand First split into two groups and half the MPs followed Peters out of the coalition but the remainder broke away, establishing themselves as independents or as members of new parties of which none survived the 1999 election. From the latter group National gained enough support to continue in government with additional confidence support of Alamein Kopu a defect Alliance List MP. The visibly damaged National Government managed to survive the parliamentary term, but lost the election to Labour 's Helen Clark and the Alliance 's Jim Anderton, who formed a coalition government. Opposition ( 1999 -- 2008 ) Shipley continued to lead the National Party until 2001, when Bill English replaced her. English, however, proved unable to gain traction against Clark, and National suffered its worst - ever electoral defeat in the 2002 election, gaining only 27 of 120 seats. Many hoped that English would succeed in rebuilding the party, given time, but a year later polling showed the party performing only slightly better than in the election. In October 2003 English gave way as leader to Don Brash, a former governor of the Reserve Bank who had joined the National Parliamentary caucus in the 2002 election. Under Brash, the National Party 's overall popularity with voters improved markedly. Mostly, however, the party achieved this by `` reclaiming '' support from electors who voted for other centre - right parties in 2002. National 's campaigning on race relations, amid claims of preferential treatment of Māori, and amid their opposition to Labour Party policy during the foreshore - and - seabed controversy, generated considerable publicity and much controversy. Strong campaigning on a tax - cuts theme in the lead - up to the 2005 election, together with a consolidation of centre - right support, may have contributed to the National Party 's winning 48 out of 121 seats in Parliament. National, however, remained the second - largest party in Parliament ( marginally behind Labour, which gained 50 seats ), and had fewer options for forming a coalition government. With the formation of a new Labour - dominated Government, National remained the major Opposition party. During 2004 - 2005, the National Party had made renewed efforts to attract social conservative voters, through adoption of pro-life and anti-same - sex marriage voting records After the 2005 election defeat Don Brash 's leadership of National came under scrutiny from the media, and political watchers speculated on the prospect of a leadership - challenge before the next general election due in 2008. Don Brash resigned on 23 November 2006, immediately before the release of Nicky Hager 's book The Hollow Men, which contained damaging revelations obtained from private emails. John Key became the leader of the National caucus on 27 November 2006. Key fostered a more `` centrist '' image, discussing issues such as child poverty. Fifth National government ( 2008 -- 2017 ) Main article : Fifth National Government of New Zealand John Key, Prime Minister 2008 -- 2016 On 8 November 2008 the National Party won 58 seats in the general election. The Labour Party, which had spent three terms in power, conceded the election and Prime Minister Helen Clark stepped down. National formed a minority government under John Key with confidence - and - supply support from the ACT Party ( 5 seats ), the Māori Party ( 5 seats ) and United Future ( 1 seat ). On 19 November the Governor - General swore in the new National - led government. In Key 's first Cabinet he gave the ACT Party 's Rodney Hide and Heather Roy ministerial portfolios outside Cabinet, and the Māori Party 's Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples the same. United Future leader Peter Dunne retained his ministerial post outside Cabinet which he had held within the immediately preceding Labour Government. The government cut taxes on all income ; the top personal tax rate was lowered from 39 % to 38 % and then 33 % in 2010. National Party logo, 2002 -- 2017 At the 26 November 2011 general election, National gained 47.31 % of the party vote, the highest percentage gained by any political party since MMP was introduced, helped by a lower voter turnout and the misfortunes of its traditional support parties. A reduced wasted vote enabled the party to gain 59 seats in Parliament, one more than in 2008. National re-entered confidence - and - supply agreements with ACT ( one seat ) and United Future ( one seat ) on 5 December 2011, enabling it to form a minority government with the support of 61 seats in the new 121 - seat Parliament. National also re-entered a confidence - and - supply agreement with the Māori Party on 11 December 2011 for extra insurance, despite the parties differing on National 's contentious plans to partially sell ( or `` extend the mixed ownership model to '' ) four state - owned enterprises. This nearly led to a cancellation of the agreement in February 2012 over Treaty of Waitangi obligations for the mixed ownership companies, and again in July 2012 over water rights. The government introduced the `` mixed ownership model '' plan, in which the Government planned to reduce its share in Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy from 100 % to 51 % and Air New Zealand from 74 % to 51 %, and sell off the remainder. The plans to sell down Solid Energy were later axed due to the company 's poor financial position. A citizens - initiated referendum on the sell - downs returned a 67.3 % vote in opposition ( on a turnout of 45.1 % ). The National Government won a third term at the 2014 general election. The National Party won 47.04 % of the party vote, and increased its seats to 60. National resumed its confidence and supply agreements with ACT and United Future. Leader Bill English with his deputy, Paula Bennett on the steps of Parliament After serving Prime Minister for eight years, Key announced his resignation as the party leader on 5 December 2016. He stepped down as Prime Minister on 12 December. Key 's deputy Bill English was acclaimed as the party 's new leader on 12 December 2016 after Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Minister of Police Judith Collins withdrew from the leadership election. In the 2017 general election, National 's share of the party vote dropped to 44.4 percent. It lost four seats, dropping to 56, but remained the largest party in Parliament. New Zealand First, led by Winston Peters, held the balance of power, and formed a coalition with Labour, who also gained Green party support, marking an end to the 9 - year National government. Organisation National features both regional and electorate - level organisational structures. National traditionally had a strongly decentralised organisation, designed to allow electorates and the five regions to appeal to the unique voter base in their area. However, in light of the 2002 election result, a review of the party organisation resulted in decisions to weaken the regional structure and to implement a more centralised structure in order to make the structure more ' appropriate ' for the new mixed member proportional electoral system. The Party President ( currently Peter Goodfellow ) heads the administration outside of National 's current sitting MPs. The party 's youth wing, the Young Nationals, commonly known as the Young Nats, has provided much political impetus as a ginger group. The Bluegreens are a group within National who help formulate green environmental policy. Electoral results A National Party billboard endorsing John Key for the 2008 general election Election # of party votes % of party vote # of seats won Government / opposition ? 1938 381,081 40.30 25 / 80 Opposition 1943 402,887 42.78 34 / 80 1946 507,139 48.43 38 / 80 1949 556,805 51.88 46 / 80 Government 1951 577,630 53.99 50 / 80 1954 485,630 44.27 45 / 80 1957 511,699 44.21 39 / 80 Opposition 1960 557,046 47.59 46 / 80 Government 1963 563,875 47.12 45 / 80 1966 525,945 43.64 44 / 80 1969 605,960 45.22 45 / 84 1972 581,422 41.50 32 / 87 Opposition 763,136 47.59 55 / 87 Government 1978 680,991 39.82 51 / 92 1981 698,508 38.77 47 / 92 1984 692,494 35.89 37 / 95 Opposition 806,305 44.02 40 / 97 872,358 47.82 67 / 97 Government 673,892 35.05 50 / 99 Mixed Member Proportional ( MMP ) electoral system since 1996 701,315 33.87 44 / 120 Government ( coalition ) 1999 629,932 30.50 39 / 120 Opposition 2002 425,310 20.93 27 / 120 2005 889,813 39.10 48 / 121 2008 1,053,398 44.93 58 / 122 Government ( minority ) 2011 1,058,638 47.31 59 / 121 2014 1,131,501 47.04 60 / 121 2017 1,152,075 44.45 56 / 120 Opposition Parliamentary leaders Key : National Labour PM : Prime Minister LO : Leader of the Opposition No. Leader Portrait Term of Office Position Prime Minister Adam Hamilton 2 November 1936 26 November 1940 LO 1936 -- 1940 Savage Sidney Holland 26 November 1940 20 September 1957 LO 1940 -- 1949 Fraser PM 1949 -- 1957 Holland Keith Holyoake 20 September 1957 7 February 1972 PM 1957 Holyoake LO 1957 -- 1960 Nash PM 1960 -- 1972 Holyoake Jack Marshall 7 February 1972 4 July 1974 PM 1972 Marshall LO 1972 -- 1974 Kirk 5 Robert Muldoon 4 July 1974 29 November 1984 LO 1974 -- 1975 Rowling PM 1975 -- 1984 Muldoon LO 1984 Lange 6 Jim McLay 29 November 1984 26 March 1986 LO 1984 -- 1986 7 Jim Bolger 26 March 1986 8 December 1997 LO 1986 -- 1990 Palmer Moore PM 1990 -- 1997 Bolger 8 Jenny Shipley 8 December 1997 8 October 2001 PM 1997 -- 1999 Shipley LO 1999 -- 2001 Clark 9 Bill English 8 October 2001 28 October 2003 LO 2001 -- 2003 10 Don Brash 28 October 2003 27 November 2006 LO 2003 -- 2006 11 John Key 27 November 2006 12 December 2016 LO 2006 -- 2008 PM 2008 -- 2016 Key ( 9 ) Bill English 12 December 2016 Incumbent PM 2016 -- 2017 English LO 2017 - Ardern Deputy leaders Name Term William Polson 1940 -- 1946 Keith Holyoake 1946 -- 1957 Jack Marshall 1957 -- 1972 Robert Muldoon 1972 -- 1974 Brian Talboys 1974 -- 1981 Duncan MacIntyre 1981 -- 1984 Jim McLay 1984 Jim Bolger 1984 -- 1986 George Gair 1986 -- 1987 Don McKinnon 1987 -- 1997 Wyatt Creech 1997 -- 2001 Bill English 2001 Roger Sowry 2001 -- 2003 Nick Smith 2003 Gerry Brownlee 2003 -- 2006 Bill English 2006 -- 2016 Paula Bennett 2016 -- present Party presidents Name Term Sir George Wilson 1936 Colonel Claude Weston 1936 -- 1940 Alex Gordon 1940 -- 1944 Sir Wilfred Sim 1944 -- 1951 Sir Alex McKenzie 1951 -- 1962 John S. Meadowcroft 1962 -- 1966 Edward Durning ( Ned ) Holt 1966 -- 1973 Sir George Chapman 1973 -- 1982 Sue Wood 1982 -- 1986 Neville Young 1986 -- 1989 John Collinge 1989 -- 1994 Lindsay Tisch Geoff Thompson 1994 -- 1998 John Slater 1998 -- 2001 Michelle Boag 2001 -- 2002 Judy Kirk 2002 -- 2009 Peter Goodfellow 2009 -- present Short biographies of all presidents up to Sue Wood appear in Barry Gustafson 's The First Fifty Years. See also Conservatism portal New Zealand portal Conservative Party ( UK ) Governments of New Zealand Liberal Party of Australia Conservative Party of Canada Second Shadow Cabinet of Bill English References ^ Jump up to : James, Colin ( 13 December 2016 ). `` National Party : Party principles ''. Te Ara : The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 9 September 2017. Usually the conservative and liberal tendencies have been central Jump up ^ New Zealand Investment and Business Guide Volume 1 Strategic and Practical Information. Lulu. 2015. p. 32. ISBN 9781312942288. ^ Jump up to : `` New Zealand 's center - right National Party wins election ''. CNN. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` International Democrat Union '' Asia Pacific Democrat Union ( APDU ) ``. International Democrat Union. 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ngā Rōpū Pāremata '' ( in Maori ). New Zealand Parliament Pāremata Aotearoa. Retrieved 5 May 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Election 2014 : Nats ' promises to you ''. New Zealand Herald. 2014 - 09 - 21. ISSN 1170 - 0777. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 05. ^ Jump up to : Raymond, Miller ( 2005 ). Party Politics in New Zealand. Australia : Oxford University Press. p. 32. Jump up ^ Hossain, Akhand Akhtar ( 2015 ). The Evolution of Central Banking and Monetary Policy in the Asia - Pacific. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 317. ISBN 9780857937810. Jump up ^ James, Colin ( 20 June 2012 ). `` National Party ''. Te Ara : The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 June 2017. ^ Jump up to : Scharpf, Fritz Wilhelm ; Schmidt, Vivien Ann ( 2000 ). Welfare and Work in the Open Economy : From vulnerability to competitiveness. Oxford University Press. p. 246. ISBN 9780199240876. ^ Jump up to : `` 2017 General Election - Official Result ''. New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 October 2017. ^ Jump up to : Palffy, Georgina ( 2008 ). New Zealand. New Holland Publishers. p. 65. ISBN 9781860114052. Retrieved 5 February 2017. ^ Jump up to : Gustafson, Barry ( 1 October 2013 ). `` His Way : a Biography of Robert Muldoon ''. Auckland University Press. Retrieved 25 November 2016. Jump up ^ Keith Holyoake, New Zealand Parliamentary Debates, 14 July 1959, vol. 319, p. 406. Jump up ^ Hembry, Owen ( 31 January 2011 ). `` In the shadow of Think Big ''. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` New Zealand as it might have been : From Ruthanasia to President Bolger ''. New Zealand Herald. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2017. Jump up ^ Plumb, Alison ( 2014 ). `` How do MPs in Westminster democracies vote when unconstrained by party discipline ? A comparison of free vote patterns on marriage equality legislation '' ( PDF ). Australian National University. Retrieved 13 June 2017. Jump up ^ `` PM reinforces TPP benefits in New York ''. The Beehive. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017. Jump up ^ Miller, Raymond ( 2005 ). Party Politics in New Zealand. Australia : Oxford University Press. pp. 28 -- 31. Jump up ^ Miller, Raymond ( 2005 ). Party Politics in New Zealand. Australia : Oxford University Press. p. 29. Jump up ^ Miller, Raymond ( 2005 ). Party Politics in New Zealand. Australia : Oxford University Press. pp. 31 -- 32. Jump up ^ Brian Roper ( 1993 ). State and economy in New Zealand. Oxford U.P. p. 204. Jump up ^ Gustafson, Barry ( 2013 ). His Way : a Biography of Robert Muldoon. Auckland University Press. p. 109. ISBN 9781869405175. ^ Jump up to : `` Official Count Results -- Overall Status ''. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 August 2013. Jump up ^ `` Key and ministers sworn in ''. guide2.co.nz. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2017. Jump up ^ `` Questions and Answers - 25 May 2010 Scoop News ''. scoop.co.nz. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2017. Jump up ^ `` New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announces resignation ''. Stuff.co.nz. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` Live : Prime Minister John Key has resigned. What happens next ? ''. Stuff. Retrieved 2016 - 12 - 06. Jump up ^ `` The race for Prime Minister gets crowded - It 's Bill English, Jonathan Coleman and now Judith Collins ''. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2016. Jump up ^ Stephens, Gregory R. Electoral Reform and the Centralisation of the New Zealand National Party, MA thesis, Victoria University of Wellington Jump up ^ `` Bluegreens ''. bluegreens.org.nz. 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` General elections 1853 -- 2005 -- dates & turnout ''. Elections New Zealand. Retrieved 12 January 2011. Further reading Boston, Jonathan. Left Turn : The New Zealand general election of 1999 ( Victoria U.P, 2000 ) Boston, Jonathan ; et al. ( 2004 ). New Zealand Votes : The 2002 General Election. Victoria University Press. Chapman, George ( 1980 ). The Years of Lightning. Wellington : AH & AW Reed. ISBN 0 - 589 - 01346 - 7. Easton, Brian. Making of Rogernomics ( 1989 ) on late 1980s Gustafson, Barry, His Way, a biography of Robert Muldoon Auckland University Press, 2000, ISBN 1 - 86940 - 236 - 7 online, National prime minister 1975 -- 84 Gustafson, Barry. Kiwi Keith : A Biography of Keith Holyoake ( 2009 ), National Prime Minister, 1957, 1960 -- 72 Gustafson, Barry. The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party by ( 1986, Reed Methuen, Auckland ) ISBN 0 - 474 - 00177 - 6 ( includes short biographies of all National MPs from 1936 to 1986, and of a selection of organisational figures ) Levine, Stephen and Nigel S. Roberts, eds. The Baubles of Office : The New Zealand General Election of 2005 ( Victoria U.P, 2007 ) Levine, Stephen and Nigel S. Roberts, eds. Key to Victory : The New Zealand General Election of 2008 ( Victoria U.P, 2010 ) Russell, Marcia. Revolution : New Zealand From Fortress to Free Market ( 1996 ) on Rogernomics in 1980s External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Zealand National Party. National Party of New Zealand Bluegreens `` Historic parties `` Current New Zealand political parties Parliament National ( 56 ) Labour ( 46 ) New Zealand First ( 9 ) Green ( 8 ) ACT ( 1 ) Unrepresented Ban 1080 Cannabis Conservative Democrats for Social Credit Internet Mana Māori Outdoors People 's TOP Unregistered Climate First Communist League GOdsownNZ Money Free National Front Not A Party Republic of New Zealand Party Seniors Socialist Aotearoa Portal : Politics List of political parties Politics of New Zealand New Zealand National Party Party leaders Names in bold served as Prime Minister Adam Hamilton ( 1936 -- 1940 ) Sidney Holland ( 1940 -- 1957 ) Keith Holyoake ( 1957 -- 1972 ) Jack Marshall ( 1972 -- 1974 ) Robert Muldoon ( 1974 -- 1984 ) Jim McLay ( 1984 -- 1986 ) Jim Bolger ( 1986 -- 1997 ) Jenny Shipley ( 1997 -- 2001 ) Bill English ( 2001 -- 2003 ) Don Brash ( 2003 -- 2006 ) John Key ( 2006 -- 2016 ) Bill English ( 2016 -- present ) Party presidents Sir George Wilson Claude Weston Alex Gordon Sir Wilfred Sim Sir Alex McKenzie John S. Meadowcroft Ned Holt Sir George Chapman Sue Wood Neville Young John Collinge Lindsay Tisch Geoff Thompson John Slater Michelle Boag Judy Kirk Peter Goodfellow Current Members of Parliament Names without electorates are list MPs Leader Bill English Deputy Leader Paula Bennett ( Upper Harbour ) Amy Adams ( Selwyn ) Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Maggie Barry ( North Shore ) Andrew Bayly ( Hunua ) David Bennett ( Hamilton East ) Chris Bishop ( Hutt South ) Simon Bridges ( Tauranga ) Simeon Brown ( Pakuranga ) Gerry Brownlee ( Ilam ) David Carter Jonathan Coleman ( Northcote ) Judith Collins ( Papakura ) Jacqui Dean ( Waitaki ) Matthew Doocey ( Waimakariri ) Sarah Dowie ( Invercargill ) Andrew Falloon ( Rangitata ) Chris Finlayson Paul Goldsmith Nathan Guy ( Ōtaki ) Jo Hayes Harete Hipango ( Whanganui ) Brett Hudson Steven Joyce Nikki Kaye ( Auckland Central ) Matt King ( Northland ) Nuk Korako Barbara Kuriger ( Taranaki - King Country ) Denise Lee ( Maungakiekie ) Melissa Lee Tim Macindoe ( Hamilton West ) Todd McClay ( Rotorua ) Ian McKelvie ( Rangitīkei ) Mark Mitchell ( Rodney ) Todd Muller ( Bay of Plenty ) Alfred Ngaro Simon O'Connor ( Tāmaki ) Parmjeet Parmar Chris Penk ( Helensville ) Shane Reti ( Whangarei ) Jami - Lee Ross ( Botany ) Alastair Scott ( Wairarapa ) Scott Simpson ( Coromandel ) Nick Smith ( Nelson ) Stuart Smith ( Kaikōura ) Erica Stanford ( East Coast Bays ) Anne Tolley ( East Coast ) Louise Upston ( Taupō ) Tim van de Molen ( Waikato ) Nicky Wagner Hamish Walker ( Clutha - Southland ) Michael Woodhouse Jian Yang Jonathan Young ( New Plymouth ) Lawrence Yule ( Tukituki ) National Governments First ( 1949 -- 57 ) Second ( 1960 -- 72 ) Third ( 1975 -- 84 ) Fourth ( 1990 -- 99 ) Fifth ( 2008 -- 17 ) Shadow cabinets Marshall Muldoon McLay Bolger Shipley English I Brash Key English II Leadership elections 1936 1940 1957 1972 1984 1986 2001 2003 2006 2016 Related articles Reform Party United Party Liberal Party United -- Reform Coalition Young Nats ( youth wing ) International Democrat Union Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists Asia Pacific Democrat Union Caribbean Democrat Union Democrat Union of Africa European Democrat Union European People 's Party International Women 's Democrat Union International Young Democrat Union Union of Latin American Parties Member parties Democratic Party Liberal Party Austrian People 's Party National Independence Party Social Democrat Movement Party of Democratic Action Democrats Union of Democratic Forces Conservative Party Independent Democratic Union National Renewal Kuomintang Conservative Party Democratic Union Democratic Rally Civic Democratic Party Conservative People 's Party National Progressive Force Social Christian Party Nationalist Republican Alliance Pro Patria and Res Publica Union National Coalition Party The Republicans Christian - Democratic Movement United National Movement Christian Democratic Union Christian Social Union in Bavaria New Patriotic Party New Democracy Unionist Party National Party Fidesz Independence Party Bharatiya Janata Party National Awakening Party Jamaica Labour Party VMRO -- DPMNE Maldivian Democratic Party Liberal Democratic Party Democratic Party National Party Conservative Party Conservative Party Christian People 's Party CDS -- PP Democratic Party of Serbia Slovenian Democratic Party Liberty Korea Party People 's Party United National Party Moderate Party Forum for Democratic Change Conservative Party Republican Party Project Venezuela Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Zealand_National_Party&oldid=811686777 '' Categories : New Zealand National Party Conservatism in New Zealand Conservative parties in New Zealand International Democrat Union member parties Liberal conservative parties Political parties established in 1936 Political parties in New Zealand 1936 establishments in New Zealand Hidden categories : CS1 Maori - language sources ( mi ) Use New Zealand English from August 2015 All Wikipedia articles written in New Zealand English Use dmy dates from September 2011 Articles containing Māori - language text Use New Zealand English from July 2017 Articles needing additional references from June 2017 All articles needing additional references Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from November 2017 Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2007 All articles containing potentially dated statements All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007 Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2009 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Ænglisc Беларуская Български Català Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Māori Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Simple English Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 November 2017, at 07 : 06. 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Question: who is the leader of the national party in nz
Answer: Bill English