The New Zealand National Party (National Party) is the largest partner in the National-led Government. It has 58 members of Parliament in the House of which 41 represent electorates.
National Party in Parliament
The New Zealand National Party was established in 1936 from the Reform-United Coalition. The party first entered Parliament that same year.
The party has been in five Governments: 1949–1957, 1960–1972, 1975–1984, 1990–1999, and 2008-
The National Party has 58 members of Parliament — 41 representing general electorates and 18 drawn from the party list.
The current party leader is the Hon John Key, Prime Minister and member for Helensville.
Agreements
The New Zealand National Party is the principal partner in the National-led Government.
The National Party has the following agreements with other parliamentary parties:
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A confidence and supply agreement with ACT
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A confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party
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A confidence and supply agreement with United Future
National Party message
’National stands for freedom, choice, independence and ambition. We believe in less government not more red tape. We stand firmly against political correctness and strongly for personal freedom and responsibility.’
Source: National Party, http://www.national.org.nz/About/welcome.aspx, last accessed 17 November 2008.
