# 50th New Zealand Parliament

The 50th New Zealand Parliament was elected at the 2011 general election. It had 121 members (120 seats plus one overhang seat), and was in place from December 2011 until September 2014, followed by the 2014 general election. The first sitting of the 50th Parliament was held on 20 December 2011, where members were sworn in and Lockwood Smith was elected Speaker of the House. This was followed by the speech from the throne on 21 December. John Key continued to lead the Fifth National Government. Following the resignation of Smith, David Carter was elected Speaker.
The Parliament was elected using the mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) voting system. Members of Parliament (MPs) represent 70 geographical electorates: 16 in the South Island, 47 in the North Island and 7 Māori electorates. The remaining 51 members were elected from party lists using the Sainte-Laguë method to realise proportionality.

## Electorate boundaries for 50th Parliament

The Representation Commission is tasked with reviewing electorate boundaries every five years following each New Zealand census. The last review was undertaken in 2007 following the 2006 census, and the electorate boundaries determined then were used in both the 2008 and 2011 general elections.
The next census was scheduled for 8 March 2011, but it was postponed due to the disruption caused by the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The new date for the census was 5 March 2013, and this allowed enough time to review the electoral boundaries for the 51st New Zealand Parliament prior to the 2014 election. The Representation Commission undertook the review between October 2013 and April 2014 and changed the boundaries of 46 electorates, created two new electorates in the Auckland area, and abolished one electorate in Auckland. A total of twenty general and five Maori electorates remained unchanged.

## 2011 general election

The 2011 New Zealand general election was held on Saturday, 26 November 2011 and determined the membership of the 50th New Zealand Parliament.
One hundred and twenty-one MPs were elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 70 from single-member electorates, including one overhang seat, and 51 from party lists. Since the 1996 election, New Zealand has used the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, giving voters two votes: one for a political party and the other for their local electorate MP. A referendum on the voting system was held at the same time as the election, in which 57.8% of voters voted to keep the MMP voting system.
A total of 3,070,847 people were registered to vote in the election, with over 2.2 million votes cast and a turnout of 73.83%—the lowest turnout since 1887. The poor turnout was partially explained with many voters expecting the outcome to be a foregone conclusion, and a similar attitude was observed in 2002, when the Labour Party was well ahead in the polls and a low turnout resulted.
The preliminary results published on election night indicated that the incumbent National Party, led by John Key gained the plurality with 47.99% of the party vote and 60 seats, one seat short of holding a majority. The opposing Labour Party, led by Phil Goff, lost ground winning 27.13% of the vote and 34 seats, while the Green Party won 10.62% of the vote and 13 seats—the biggest share of the party vote for a minor party since 1996. New Zealand First, having won no seats in 2008 due to its failure to either reach the 5% threshold or win an electorate, made a comeback with 6.81% of the vote entitling them to eight seats.
National's confidence and supply partners in the 49th Parliament meanwhile suffered losses. Preliminary results indicated that ACT New Zealand won less than a third of the party vote it received in 2008, reducing from five seats to one. The Māori Party was reduced from five seats to three, as the party vote split between the Māori Party and former Māori Party MP Hone Harawira's Mana Party. United Future lost party votes, but retained their one seat in Parliament.
The poor results for both the Labour Party and ACT resulted in changes to their leaderships. Labour leader Phil Goff and deputy Annette King announced on 29 November 2011 that they had tendered their resignations from the party leadership effective 13 December 2011, with both keeping their electorate representations. ACT leader Don Brash failed to get re-elected to Parliament due to the poor party vote and resigned his party leadership on the night of the election.
On 10 December, the final results were published after the counting of the special votes. The main changes were that the National Party's vote share had decreased to 47.31%, resulting in 59 seats—one less than the 60 based on the preliminary results. The Green Party vote rose to 11.06%, which gained it one seat and is now eligible for 14 seats. The redistribution of the seats means that the lowest-placed National member who qualified based on the preliminary results, Aaron Gilmore (a member of the 49th Parliament), was not returned again. The next person on the Green Party list, Mojo Mathers (a new MP), took the seat.
The Christchurch Central electorate, where the incumbent Brendon Burns (Labour) and Nicky Wagner (National) had received the same number of votes on election night, was won by Wagner with a majority of 45 votes, with Burns thus out of Parliament, as his list position is not high enough. In the Waitakere electorate, Labour's Carmel Sepuloni achieved a majority of 11 votes as opposed to a 349-vote majority for National's Paula Bennett as indicated by the preliminary results. Sepuloni would not have entered Parliament again without winning the electorate as her list placing was not high enough, meaning that she replaced the lowest-ranked Labour list candidate who qualified based on the preliminary results, Raymond Huo. However, both electorates were subject to a judicial recount at the request of the Labour and National Parties, respectively, due to the tightness of each result. As a result of the recount, Nicky Wagner was confirmed as the winner of Christchurch Central with a majority 47 votes on 14 December, while in Waitakere, the recount swung the seat back to Paula Bennett with a majority of nine votes on 17 December.
On election night, 25 new MPs entered Parliament. With the changes in seats for National and the Green Party once the final count was released, this increased to 26 new MPs, with Mathers having joined the newcomers. The final turnout of enrolled electors was 74.21%.

## Members

The tables below show the members of the 50th Parliament based on preliminary counts of the 2011 general election.

### Overview

The table below shows the number of MPs in each party following the 2011 election and at dissolution:
| Affiliation | Affiliation | Members | Members |
| Affiliation | Affiliation | At 2011 election | At dissolution |
| | National | 59 | 59 |
| | Māori Party | 3 | 3 |
| | ACT | 1 | 1 |
| | United Future | 1 | 1 |
| Government total | Government total | 64 | 64 |
| | Labour | 34 | 34 |
| | Green | 14 | 14 |
| | NZ First | 8 | 7 |
| | Mana Party | 1 | 1 |
| | Independent Coalition | Not yet founded | 1 |
| Opposition total | Opposition total | 57 | 57 |
| Total | Total | 121 | 121 |
| Working Government majority | Working Government majority | 7 | 7 |
* 1 2 3 The Māori Party, United Future and ACT once again entered into confidence and supply agreements with the National Party to form a majority.
* ↑ Brendan Horan was an MP who was expelled from New Zealand First on 4 December 2012. He formed the NZ Independent Coalition and served the remainder of his term under that party.
* ↑ The Working Government majority is calculated as all Government MPs minus all other parties.

### New Zealand National Party (59)

The National Party won 47.31% of the vote, entitling it to 59 seats. As it won 42 electorates, an additional 17 members were taken from the party list.
Nine new National Party members were elected, six from electorates and three from the party list. Fifty members from the 49th Parliament were returned.
| | Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| | David Carter | | 1994– | Speaker of the House (Jan 2013 onwards) Chairperson, Business Committee (Jan 2013 onwards) Chairperson, Officers of Parliament Committee (Jan 2013 onwards) Minister of Primary Industries (until Jan 2013) Minister of Local Government (Apr 2012–Jan 2013) |
| | Eric Roy | Invercargill | 1993–2002; 2005– | Deputy Speaker of the House |
| | Lindsay Tisch | Waikato | 1999– | Assistant Speaker of the House |
| Ministers in Cabinet |||||
| | John Key | Helensville | 2002– | Prime Minister Minister of Tourism Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services Minister in Charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service Minister in Charge of the Government Communications Security Bureau Leader of the National Party |
| | Bill English | Clutha-Southland | 1990– | Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Finance Deputy Leader of the National Party |
| | Gerry Brownlee | Ilam | 1996– | Leader of the House Minister for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Minister of Transport Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission |
| | Steven Joyce | | 2008– | Minister for Economic Development Minister of Science and Innovation Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Associate Minister of Finance |
| | Judith Collins | Papakura | 2002– | Minister of Justice Minister for ACC Minister for Ethnic Affairs |
| | Tony Ryall | Bay of Plenty | 1990– | Minister of Health Minister for State Owned Enterprises |
| | Hekia Parata | | 2008– | Minister of Education Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
| | Chris Finlayson | | 2005– | Attorney-General Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Associate Minister of Maori Affairs Chairperson, Privileges Committee |
| | Paula Bennett | Waitakere | 2005– | Minister for Social Development Associate Minister for Housing Minister of Youth Affairs (until Jan 2013) |
| | Jonathan Coleman | Northcote | 2005– | Minister of Defence Minister of State Services Associate Minister of Finance |
| | Murray McCully | East Coast Bays | 1987– | Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister for Sport and Recreation |
| | Anne Tolley | East Coast | 1999–2002; 2005– | Minister of Police Minister of Corrections Deputy Leader of the House |
| | Nick Smith | Nelson | 1990– | Minister of Conservation Minister for Housing |
| | Tim Groser | | 2005– | Minister of Trade Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations Minister for Climate Change Issues Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| | Amy Adams | Selwyn | 2008– | Minister for Communications and Information Technology Minister for the Environment Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery |
| | Nathan Guy | Ōtaki | 2005– | Minister for Racing Minister for Primary Industries |
| | Craig Foss | Tukituki | 2005– | Minister of Commerce Minister of Broadcasting Associate Minister for ACC Minister of Consumer Affairs |
| | Chris Tremain | Napier | 2005– | Minister of Local Government Minister of Internal Affairs Associate Minister of Tourism |
| | Simon Bridges | Tauranga | 2008– | Minister of Labour Minister for Energy and Resources Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues |
| | Nikki Kaye | Auckland Central | 2008– | Minister for Food Safety Minister of Civil Defence Minister of Youth Affairs Associate Minister of Education Associate Minister of Immigration |
| Ministers outside Cabinet |||||
| | Maurice Williamson | Pakuranga | 1987– | Minister for Building and Construction Minister of Customs Minister for Land Information Minister of Statistics |
| | Jo Goodhew | Rangitata | 2005– | Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Minister for Senior Citizens Minister of Women's Affairs Associate Minister of Health Associate Minister for Primary Industries |
| | Chester Borrows | Whanganui | 2005– | Minister of Courts Associate Minister of Justice Associate Minister of Social Development |
| | Michael Woodhouse | | 2008– | Minister of Immigration Minister for Veteran's Affairs Associate Minister of Transport |
| | Todd McClay | Rotorua | 2008– | Minister of Revenue Associate Minister of Health |
| Members of Parliament |||||
| | Louise Upston | Taupō | 2008– | Senior Whip Caucus Representative to the National Board of Directors |
| | Tim Macindoe | Hamilton West | 2008– | Junior Whip Chairperson, Justice and Electoral Committee |
| | Jami-Lee Ross | Botany | 2011– | Junior Whip (Third Whip) Baby of the House (Youngest MP) Deputy-Chairperson, Law and Order Committee Deputy-Chairperson, Transport and Industrial Relations Committee |
| | Melissa Lee | | 2008– | Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs Deputy-Chairperson, Social Services Committee |
| | John Hayes | Wairarapa | 2005– | Parliamentary Private Secretary of Foreign Affairs Chairperson, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee |
| | Shane Ardern | Taranaki-King Country | 1998– | Chairperson, Primary Production Committee |
| | Chris Auchinvole | | 2005– | Deputy-Chairperson, Government Administration Committee |
| | Kanwal Singh Bakshi | | 2008– | |
| | Maggie Barry | North Shore | 2011– | |
| | David Bennett | Hamilton East | 2005– | Chairperson, Transport and Industrial Relations Committee |
| | Jackie Blue | | 2005– | Deputy-Chairperson, Health Committee |
| | Cam Calder | | 2009– | Deputy-Chairperson, Justice and Electoral Committee |
| | Jacqui Dean | Waitaki | 2005– | Chairperson, Law and Order Committee |
| | Paul Goldsmith | | 2011– | Chairperson, Finance and Expenditure Committee |
| | Phil Heatley | Whangarei | 1999– | |
| | Tau Henare | | 1993–1999; 2005– | Chairperson, Maori Affairs Committee |
| | Paul Hutchison | Hunua | 1999– | Chairperson, Health Committee |
| | Colin King | Kaikōura | 2005– | Deputy-Chairperson, Education and Science Committee |
| | Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga | Maungakiekie | 2008– | Chairperson, Social Services Committee |
| | Ian McKelvie | Rangitīkei | 2011– | |
| | Mark Mitchell | Rodney | 2011– | New Zealand Young Nationals Caucus Representative |
| | Alfred Ngaro | | 2011– | |
| | Simon O'Connor | Tāmaki | 2011– | |
| | Mike Sabin | Northland | 2011– | |
| | Katrina Shanks | | 2007– | Deputy-Chairperson, Regulations Review Committee |
| | Scott Simpson | Coromandel | 2011– | |
| | Nicky Wagner | Christchurch Central | 2005– | Chairperson, Local Government and Environment Committee Blue Greens Caucus Representative |
| | Kate Wilkinson | Waimakariri | 2005– | |
| | Jian Yang | | 2011– | |
| | Jonathan Young | New Plymouth | 2008– | Chairperson, Commerce Committee |
| | Claudette Hauiti | | 2013– | Entered Parliament May 2013 |
| | Paul Foster-Bell | | 2013– | Entered Parliament May 2013 |
| | Jo Hayes | | 2014– | Entered Parliament January 2014 |
| members of the National caucus who resigned, retired or died during the term of the 50th Parliament |||||
| | Lockwood Smith | | 1984–2013 | Resigned January 2013 Speaker of the House (until Jan 2013) |
| | Aaron Gilmore | | 2008–2011; 2013 | Returned to parliament January 2013; resigned May 2013 |
| | Jackie Blue | | 2005–2013 | Resigned May 2013 |
| | Katrina Shanks | | 2007–2013 | Resigned December 2013 |

### New Zealand Labour Party (34)

The Labour Party won 27.48% of the vote, entitling it to 34 seats. As it won 22 electorates, an additional 12 members were taken from the party list.
Four new Labour Party members were elected, three from electorates and one from the list. Thirty members from the 49th Parliament were returned.
| | Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| Shadow Cabinet |||||
| | David Cunliffe | New Lynn | 1999– | Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Labour Party Spokesperson for the Security Intelligence Service and Regional Development |
| | David Parker | | 2002– | Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Spokesperson for Finance |
| | Grant Robertson | Wellington Central | 2008– | Spokesperson for Economic Development, Employment, Skills and Training |
| | Jacinda Ardern | | 2008– | Spokesperson for Social Development |
| | Clayton Cosgrove | | 1999– | Spokesperson for State Owned Enterprises, Commerce, Small Business, and Trade Negotiations Associate Spokesperson for Finance Deputy-Chairperson, Commerce Committee |
| | Nanaia Mahuta | Hauraki-Waikato | 1996– | Spokesperson for Education Associate Spokesperson for Māori Affairs |
| | Maryan Street | | 2005– | Spokesperson for Health, and Disarmament and Arms Control Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs |
| | William Sio | Mangere | 2008– | Spokesperson for Employment, Pacific Island Affairs, and Inter-Faith Dialogue Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs |
| | Phil Twyford | Te Atatū | 2008– | Spokesperson for Transport and Auckland Issues Associate Spokesperson for the Environment |
| | Trevor Mallard | Hutt South | 1984–1990; 1993– | Shadow Leader of the House Spokesperson for the America's Cup Associate Spokesperson for Finance |
| | Chris Hipkins | Rimutaka | 2008– | Senior Whip Spokesperson for State Services Associate Spokesperson for Education |
| | Phil Goff | Mount Roskill | 1981–1990; 1993– | Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade |
| | Annette King | Rongotai | 1984–1990; 1993– | Spokesperson for Housing, and Local Government |
| | Darien Fenton | | 2005– | Junior Whip Spokesperson for Labour, and Immigration |
| | Damien O'Connor | West Coast-Tasman | 1993–2008; 2009– | Spokesperson for Primary Industries, and Food Safety Deputy-Chairperson, Primary Production Committee |
| | Clare Curran | Dunedin South | 2008– | Spokesperson for Communications and Information Technology, Broadcasting, Open Government, and Disability Issues |
| Members of Parliament |||||
| | David Shearer | Mount Albert | 2009– | |
| | Ross Robertson | Manukau East | 1987– | Assistant Speaker of the House Spokesperson for Racing Associate Spokesperson for Disarmament and Arms Control (Small Arms) |
| | David Clark | Dunedin North | 2011– | Spokesperson for Revenue Associate Spokesperson for Tertiary Education |
| | Ruth Dyson | Port Hills | 1993– | Spokesperson for Conservation, Internal Affairs and Senior Citizens Chairperson, Government Administration Committee |
| | Kris Faafoi | Mana | 2010– | Spokesperson for Police, and Customs Associate Spokesperson for Health |
| | Raymond Huo | | 2008– | Spokesperson for Building and Construction, Statistics and Land Information |
| | Iain Lees-Galloway | Palmerston North | 2008– | Spokesperson for Defence, Transport Safety and Veteran's Affairs Associate Spokesperson for Health |
| | Andrew Little | | 2011– | Spokesperson for ACC |
| | Moana Mackey | | 2003– | Spokesperson for Energy, and Climate Change Issues |
| | Sue Moroney | | 2005– | Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education, and Women's Affairs |
| | Rajen Prasad | | 2008– | Spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs Associate Spokesperson for Social Development |
| | Rino Tirikatene | Te Tai Tonga | 2011– | Spokesperson for Tourism |
| | Louisa Wall | Manurewa | 2008; 2011– | Spokesperson for Sport and Recreation, and the Community and Voluntary Sector |
| | Megan Woods | Wigram | 2011– | Spokesperson for Youth Affairs Associate Spokesperson for Science and Innovation |
| | Carol Beaumont | | 2008–2011; 2013– | * Returned to Parliament as a List MP, replacing Charles Chauvel |
| | Meka Whaitiri | | 2013– | * Elected to Parliament in a by-election, replacing Parekura Horomia |
| | Poto Williams | | 2013- | * Elected to Parliament in a by-election, replacing Lianne Dalziel |
| members of the Labour caucus who resigned, retired or died during the term of the 50th Parliament |||||
| | Charles Chauvel | | 2006–2013 | Resigned March 2013, replaced by Carol Beaumont Shadow Attorney General Spokesperson for Justice, Courts, Corrections, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Chairperson, Regulations Review Committee |
| | Parekura Horomia | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 1999–2013 | Died 29 April 2013, replaced by Meka Whaitiri Spokesperson for Maori Affairs, and Treaty Of Waitangi Negotiations Deputy-Chairperson, Maori Affairs Committee |
| | Lianne Dalziel | Christchurch East | 1990– | Spokesperson for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Earthquake Commission, and Consumer Rights and Standards Associate Spokesperson for Justice Resigned to contest Christchurch mayoralty, replaced by Poto Williams |

### Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand (14)

The Green Party won 11.06% of the vote, entitling it to 14 seats. As it did not win any electorate, all members were taken from the party list.
Seven new Green Party members were elected, with seven members from the 49th Parliament returning.
Mojo Mathers, elected as number 14 on the list, is New Zealand's first profoundly deaf MP.
| Name | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| Russel Norman | 2008– | Co-leader of the Green Party Spokesperson for Environment Spokesperson for Economics & Finance |
| Metiria Turei | 2002– | Co-leader of the Green Party Spokesperson for Social Equity Spokesperson for Electoral Reform Spokesperson for Māori and Treaty Issues Spokesperson for Housing Spokesperson for Children |
| Steffan Browning | 2011– | Spokesperson for Agriculture Spokesperson for Fisheries Spokesperson for Organics Spokesperson for GE Spokesperson for Forestry Spokesperson for Biosecurity & Customs Spokesperson for Security & Intelligence |
| David Clendon | 2009– | Spokesperson for Small Business Spokesperson for Corrections and Courts Spokesperson for Tertiary Education Spokesperson for Research & Technology Spokesperson for Police Spokesperson for Commerce Spokesperson for Tourism |
| Catherine Delahunty | 2008– | Spokesperson for Education Spokesperson for Mining (Terrestrial) Spokesperson for Toxics Spokesperson for Te Tiriti o Waitangi |
| Julie Anne Genter | 2011– | Spokesperson for Transport Spokesperson for Justice Spokesperson for Broadcasting |
| Kennedy Graham | 2008– | Spokesperson for Disarmament Spokesperson for Global Affairs Spokesperson for Climate Change Spokesperson for Trade & Foreign Investment Spokesperson for Constitutional Issues Spokesperson for Defence Spokesperson for Population |
| Kevin Hague | 2008– | Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing Spokesperson for Commerce Spokesperson for Small Business Spokesperson for Tourism Spokesperson for Biosecurity & Customs Spokesperson for Cycling & Active Transport Spokesperson for Sport & Recreation Spokesperson for Rainbow Issues (co-spokesperson) Spokesperson for Rural Affairs; associate spokesperson on Community Economic Development, Gambling, and Community & Voluntary Sector |
| Gareth Hughes | 2010– | Musterer (Party Whip) Spokesperson for Energy Spokesperson for Oceans Spokesperson for Mining (oceans) Spokesperson for ICT Spokesperson for Libraries & Archives |
| Jan Logie | 2011– | Spokesperson for Income Support Spokesperson for Immigration Spokesperson for Women Spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs Spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson for Human Rights Spokesperson for Rainbow Issues (co-spokesperson) Spokesperson for Overseas Development Aid |
| Mojo Mathers | 2011– | Spokesperson for Food Spokesperson for Animal Welfare Spokesperson for Disability Issues Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs Spokesperson for Civil Defence Spokesperson for Natural Health |
| Denise Roche | 2011– | Spokesperson for Industrial Relations Spokesperson for Community & Voluntary sector Spokesperson for Community Economic Development Spokesperson for Waste Spokesperson for Gambling Spokesperson for Auckland Spokesperson for State Services |
| Eugenie Sage | 2011– | Spokesperson for Environment Spokesperson for Conservation Spokesperson for Water Spokesperson for Local Government Spokesperson for Christchurch Spokesperson for Land Information Spokesperson for Resource Management issues |
| Holly Walker | 2011– | Spokesperson for Housing Spokesperson for Electoral Reform Spokesperson for Children Spokesperson for Open Government Spokesperson for Arts Culture & Heritage Spokesperson for Youth & Students |

### New Zealand First (7)

New Zealand First won 6.59% of the vote, entitling it to eight seats. As it did not win any electorate, all members were taken from the party list. Six new members were elected, in addition to two former members.
The party was reduced to seven MPs when it expelled Brendan Horan in December 2012. Horan remained in Parliament as an independent MP.
| | Name | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| | Winston Peters | 1979–1981; 1984–2008; 2011– | Leader of New Zealand First Spokesperson, Broadcasting Spokesperson, Climate Change Spokesperson, Defence Spokesperson, Economic Development Spokesperson, Finance Spokesperson, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Immigration Spokesperson, Maori Affairs Spokesperson, Racing Spokesperson, Security Issues Spokesperson, Senior Citizens Spokesperson, State Owned Enterprises Spokesperson, Trade Spokesperson, Treaty of Waitangi Issues |
| | Tracey Martin | 2011– | Spokesperson, Arts, Culture and Heritage Spokesperson, Communications and IT Spokesperson, Education Spokesperson, Research, Science and Technology (including CRIs) Spokesperson, Women's Affairs Spokesperson, Youth Affairs |
| | Denis O'Rourke | 2011– | Spokesperson, Attorney-General Spokesperson, Christchurch Earthquake Issues Spokesperson, Civil Defence and Emergency Services Spokesperson, Constitutional Review Spokesperson, Housing Spokesperson, Justice Spokesperson, State Services Spokesperson, Transport Associate Spokesperson, Climate Change Associate Spokesperson, Economic Development Associate Spokesperson, Local Government |
| | Richard Prosser | 2011– | Spokesperson, Agriculture Spokesperson, Biosecurity Spokesperson, Customs Spokesperson, Fisheries Spokesperson, Forestry Spokesperson, Outdoor Recreation Spokesperson, Police Associate Spokesperson, Defence Associate Spokesperson, Veterans' Affairs |
| | Barbara Stewart | 2002–2008; 2011– | Party Whip Spokesperson, ACC Spokesperson, Disability Issues Spokesperson, Family Affairs Spokesperson, Health Spokesperson, Labour and Industrial Relations Spokesperson, Tourism Associate Spokesperson, Senior Citizens |
| | Asenati Taylor | 2011– | Spokesperson, Corrections Spokesperson, Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson, Pacific Island Affairs Spokesperson, Social Policy / Welfare Associate Spokesperson, Housing |
| | Andrew Williams | 2011– | Spokesperson, Building and Construction Spokesperson, Commerce Spokesperson, Consumer Affairs Spokesperson, Conservation Spokesperson, Energy Spokesperson, Environment / RMA Spokesperson, Internal Affairs Spokesperson, Local Government Spokesperson, Revenue Spokesperson, Sports and Recreation Spokesperson, Veterans' Affairs Associate Spokesperson, Finance Associate Spokesperson, Foreign Affairs and Trade Associate Spokesperson, SOEs |
| members of the NZ First caucus who resigned, retired or died during the term of the 50th Parliament |||||
| | Brendan Horan | 2011–2012 | Expelled from party; remained in Parliament as an Independent |

### Māori Party (3)

The Māori Party won 1.43% of the vote, which is short of the 5% threshold. The Māori Party won three electorates and will thus be represented by three electorate MPs. The 1.43% party vote share entitles the party to two seats and with three electorates won, an overhang was caused, increasing the size of the 50th Parliament to 121 seats.
| Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| Pita Sharples | Tāmaki Makaurau | 2005– | Minister for Māori Affairs Associate Minister of Education Associate Minister of Corrections Co-leader of the Māori Party |
| Tariana Turia | Te Tai Hauāuru | 1996– | Minister for Disability Issues Minister Responsible for Whānau Ora Associate Minister of Health Associate Minister of Housing Associate Minister for Social Development Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Co-leader of the Māori Party |
| Te Ururoa Flavell | Waiāriki | 2005– | |

### Mana Party (1)

The Mana Party won 1.08% of the vote, which is short of the 5% threshold. Mana won one electorate and will thus be represented by one electorate MP. The 1.08% party vote share entitles the party to one seat.
| Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| Hone Harawira | Te Tai Tokerau | 2005– | Leader of the Mana Party |

### United Future (1)

United Future won 0.60% of the vote, which is short of the 5% threshold. United Future won one electorate and will thus be represented by one electorate MP. The 0.61% party vote share entitles the party to one seat.
| Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| Peter Dunne | Ōhariu | 1984– | Minister of Revenue Associate Minister of Conservation Associate Minister of Health Leader of United Future Father of the House |

### NZ Independent Coalition (1)

| Name | Electorate | Term in office | Responsibilities |
| Brendan Horan | | 2012–2014 | Remained in Parliament as an MP for the NZ Independent Coalition after expulsion from the NZ First party |

### ACT New Zealand (0)

ACT New Zealand won 1.07% of the vote, which is short of the 5% threshold. ACT won one electorate and was thus represented by one electorate MP. The 1.07% party vote share entitled the party to one seat. Their sole MP resigned from Parliament on 13 June 2014.
| | Name | Electorate (list if blank) | Term in office | Portfolios & Responsibilities |
| members of the ACT caucus who resigned during the term of the 50th Parliament |||||
| | John Banks | Epsom | 1981–1999; 2011– | Minister of Regulatory Reform Minister of Small Business Associate Minister of Commerce Associate Minister of Education |

## Parliamentary business

The first sitting of the 50th Parliament was on 20 December 2011, with its main business the swearing in of new members and the election of the speaker. The State Opening was held on the following day by the Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae.

## By-elections during 50th Parliament

There were a number of changes during the term of the 50th Parliament.
| Electorate and by-election | Electorate and by-election | Date | Incumbent | Incumbent | Cause | Winner | Winner |
| Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 2013 | 29 June | | Parekura Horomia | Death | | Meka Whaitiri |
| Christchurch East | 2013 | 30 November | | Lianne Dalziel | Resignation; elected Mayor of Christchurch | | Poto Williams |

### Summary of changes during term

* Lockwood Smith (National, List) resigned in January 2013 and replaced by Aaron Gilmore
* Charles Chauvel (Labour, List) resigned in March 2013, and was replaced by Carol Beaumont
* Parekura Horomia (Labour, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti) died on 29 April 2013. The resulting by-election on 29 June 2013 was won by Meka Whaitiri
* Aaron Gilmore (National, List) resigned in May 2013 and was replaced by Claudette Hauiti
* Jackie Blue (National, List) resigned in May 2013 and was replaced by Paul Foster-Bell
* Lianne Dalziel (Labour, Christchurch East) resigned in September 2013 to contest the Christchurch mayoralty election. The resulting by-election on 30 November was won by Poto Williams
* Katrina Shanks (National, List) resigned in December 2013 and was replaced by Jo Hayes
* John Banks (ACT, Epsom) resigned in June 2014. Due to the 2014 general election, no by-election was held.
* Shane Jones (Labour, List) left Parliament in May 2014. He was replaced by Kelvin Davis.

## Seating plan
### Start of term

The chamber is in a horseshoe-shape.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Tirikatene | Woods | Roche | Genter | |
| R. Robertson | Curran | D. O'Connor | Dyson | Moroney | Lees-Galloway | Mackey | Prasad | Horomia | Faafoi | Huo | Wall | Clark | Little | Lole-Taylor | | Browning | Walker |
| A. King | Goff | Fenton | Hipkins | Mallard | Street | Sio | Twyford | Chauvel | Dalziel | Martin | Williams | Prosser | Horan | | O'Rourke | Logie | Yang |
| Jones | Mahuta | G. Robertson | Shearer | Parker | J. Ardern | Cunliffe | Cosgrove | Harawira | Peters | Stewart | Hague | Norman | | Mathers | Sage | Clendon | Simpson |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Turei | Hughes | Graham | | |
| L. Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Delahunty | | |
| L. Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Young | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Turia | Flavell | Wagner | |
| Finlayson | P. Bennett | English | KEY | Brownlee | Joyce | Collins | Ryall | Parata | Carter | Banks | Dunne | Sharples | | Hayes | Shanks | Barry | Sabin |
| Guy | McCully | Upston | Woodhouse | Tolley | Coleman | Groser | Heatley | Wilkinson | Lee | S. Ardern | D. Bennett | N. Smith | Dean | | Ross | Bakshi | S. O'Connor |
| Roy | Tisch | Foss | Adams | Williamson | Tremain | Goodhew | Borrows | Bridges | Henare | Hutchison | Kaye | Lotu-liga | McClay | Macindoe | Calder | C. King | Ngaro |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Auchinvole | Blue | Goldsmith | McKelvie | Mitchell |

### End of term

The chamber is in a horseshoe-shape.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Whaitiri | P. Williams | Horan | Genter | |
| R. Robertson | Mackey | D. O'Connor | Clark | Faafoi | Beaumont | Woods | Fenton | Mallard | Dyson | Curran | Prasad | Huo | Tirikatene | Lole-Taylor | | Roche | Walker |
| Twyford | Mahuta | Lees-Galloway | Moroney | Street | Sio | Shearer | Goff | Wall | Little | Stewart | A. Williams | Prosser | Mathers | | O'Rourke | Browning | Jo Hayes |
| Hipkins | Cosgrove | Parker | Cunliffe | G. Robertson | A. King | Jones | J. Ardern | Harawira | Peters | Martin | Hague | Norman | | Hughes | Clendon | Logie | Hauiti |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Turei | Delahunty | Sage | | |
| Carter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Graham | | |
| Carter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Goldsmith | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Turia | Sharples | Young | |
| Finlayson | P. Bennett | English | KEY | Brownlee | Joyce | Collins | Ryall | Parata | Coleman | Banks | Dunne | Flavell | | Ross | Wagner | Barry | Foster-Bell |
| Guy | McCully | Macindoe | Upston | Tolley | N. Smith | Groser | Adams | Foss | Lotu-liga | S. Ardern | D. Bennett | John Hayes | Dean | | Yang | Bakshi | Sabin |
| Roy | Tisch | Bridges | Kaye | Woodhouse | Williamson | Goodhew | Borrows | McClay | Henare | Hutchison | Heatley | Wilkinson | Tremain | Lee | Calder | C. King | S. O'Connor |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Auchinvole | Simpson | McKelvie | Mitchell | Ngaro |