Editing New Zealand Labour Party (section)

== History ==
===Background ===
{{see also|Socialism in New Zealand}}
The founding of the New Zealand Labour Party, on 7 July 1916 in Wellington,<ref name="founded">{{cite web|title= New Zealand Labour Party founded|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/the-new-zealand-labour-party-is-formed|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]|access-date=4 February 2017|date= 23 December 2016}}</ref> brought together a number of earlier socialist groups advocating [[proportional representation]], the abolition of the [[country quota]], the [[recall election|recall]] of [[members of Parliament]], as well as the [[nationalisation]] of [[Production (economics)|production]] and [[trade|exchange]].{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=ix}} 

Despite the Labour Party's Wellington origins, the [[West Coast Region|West Coast]] town of [[Blackball, New Zealand|Blackball]] is regarded as the "spiritual home" of the party,<ref>{{cite web|title= Returning to Labour's Roots|url= http://www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots|publisher= New Zealand Labour Party|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en|date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727134401/http://www.labour.org.nz/returning_to_labours_roots|archive-date=27 July 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> because it was the site of a [[1908 Blackball miners' strike|miners' strike in 1908]] that led to the founding of the first nationwide federation of trade unions (the "[[New Zealand Federation of Labour (1909)|Red Federation]]").<ref>{{cite web |last1=Derby |first1=Mark |title=Strikes and labour disputes −1908 Blackball strike |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/strikes-and-labour-disputes/page-4 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=1 February 2023 |language=en-NZ |date=11 March 2010}}</ref> The Labour Party was established by trade unions, among other groups, and the party identifies itself as part of the wider [[labour movement]] in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|title= History of the Labour Party: The labour movement in New Zealand|url= http://www.labour.org.nz/history |publisher= New Zealand Labour Party|access-date= 19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Party information|url=https://www.labour.org.nz/party_info|publisher= New Zealand Labour Party |quote= The Labour Party is part of a wider labour movement, which continues to help working Kiwis in New Zealand. We therefore have a relationship with our affiliated trade unions. |access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> The Labour Party has long been identified with red, a [[political colour]] traditionally affiliated with socialism and the labour movement.

=== Formation (1901–1916) ===
{{formation of New Zealand Labour Party}}
At the turn of the 20th century, the radical side of New Zealand [[working class]] politics was represented by the [[New Zealand Socialist Party|Socialist Party]], founded in 1901. The more moderate leftists generally supported the [[New Zealand Liberal Party|Liberal Party]].{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|pp=13f}} In 1905 a group of working-class politicians who were dissatisfied with the Liberal approach established the [[Independent Political Labour League]] (IPLL),{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|pp=17f}} which managed to win a seat in Parliament in the {{NZ election link|1908}}.{{sfn|Wilson|1985|p=216}}{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=19}} At the same time, moderates contested as "[[Liberal–Labour (New Zealand)|Lib-Lab]]" candidates, aligning with the Liberal Party while enjoying the endorsement of the labour movement.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=80}} This established the basic dividing line in New Zealand's left-wing politics – the Socialists/IPLL tended to be revolutionary and militant, while the moderates focused instead on progressive reform.<ref name="McLintock1966"/> The process of unifying these sides into a single party was difficult, with tensions between different factions running strong.{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=13}}

In 1910 the Independent Political Labour League was relaunched as an organisation called the [[New Zealand Labour Party (1910)|Labour Party]] (distinct from the modern party). Soon, however, the leaders of the new organisation decided that additional effort was needed to promote left-wing cooperation, and organised a [[Labour Unity Conferences#The 1912 conference|"Unity Conference"]]. The Socialists refused to attend, but several independent labour activists agreed. The [[United Labour Party (New Zealand)|United Labour Party]] (ULP) was born.<ref name="McLintock1966">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/political-parties/page-8 |title= An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand |chapter=Labour Party |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage|Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga]] |editor-first=A. H. |editor-last=McLintock |editor-link= Alexander Hare McLintock |access-date=15 July 2015 |orig-year=First published in 1966 |date= 22 April 2009|title-link=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand }}</ref>

Soon afterward, the labour movement went through the 1912 [[Waihi miners' strike]], a major industrial disturbance prompted by radicals in the union movement.<ref name="Black Tuesday">{{cite web|title= 'Black Tuesday' – The 1912 Waihi strike|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/black-tuesday/the-1912-waihi-strike|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=19 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref> The movement split over supporting or opposing the radicals, and in the end, the conservative [[Reform Party (New Zealand)|Reform Party]] government of [[William Massey]] suppressed the strike by force. In the strike's aftermath, there was a major drive to end the divisions in the labour movement and to establish a united front. Accordingly, [[Walter Thomas Mills]] organised another [[Labour Unity Conferences#The 1913 conference|Unity Conference]], and this time the Socialists attended.<ref name="Black Tuesday"/> The resulting group was named the [[Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)|Social Democratic Party]].

Not all members of the United Labour Party accepted the new organisation, however, and some continued under their own banner. Gradually, however, the differences between the Social Democrats and the ULP Remnant broke down, and in 1915 they formed a unified caucus – both to oppose Reform better and to differentiate themselves from the Liberals.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=SUNCH19150706.2.96 |work=Sun |page= 11 |title=A Separate Identity |date= 6 July 1915 |access-date= 30 March 2016 |volume=II |issue= 438}}</ref> A year later yet another gathering took place. This time, all major factions of the labour movement agreed to unite, forming the Labour Party as it is today.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|pp= 70–71}}

==== Electoral record of constituent parties pre–1916 Labour ====
{|class=wikitable align=left
|-
!colspan=2 width=100|Term
!colspan=2 width=100|Electorate
!colspan=2 width=100|Party
!width=125|Elected MPs
|-
{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1908}}|end=1910|term=17th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington East}}|party=Independent Political Labour League}}
|rowspan=2|[[David McLaren (politician)|David McLaren]]
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1910|end=1911|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}
|-
{{NZ parlbox|start=1911|end=1912|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington South}}|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}
|rowspan=3|[[Alfred Hindmarsh]]
|-
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1912|end=1914|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wellington South}}|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Grey Lynn}}|start=1911|end=1914|term=18th}}
|rowspan=3|[[John Payne (New Zealand politician)|John Payne]]
|-
{{NZ parlbox|party=Independent Labour|electorate=Grey Lynn|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th}}
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1916|end=|party=Independent politician}}
|-
{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1911}}|end=1913|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Otaki}}|party=New Zealand Labour Party (1910)}}
|rowspan=2|[[John Robertson (New Zealand politician, born 1875)|John Robertson]]
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1913|end=1914|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox|start=1911|end=1912|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Wanganui}}|party=Independent Labour}}
|rowspan=4|[[Bill Veitch]]
|-
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1912|end=1914|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox|start=1914|end=1916|term=19th|electorate=Wanganui|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox allegiance|start=1916|end=|party=Independent politician}}
{{NZ parlbox|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Grey}}|start={{By-election link year|Grey|1913}}|end=1914|term=18th
}}
|rowspan=2|[[Paddy Webb]]
|-
{{NZ parlbox|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)|electorate=Grey|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th
}}
{{NZ parlbox|start={{By-election link year|Lyttelton|1913}}|end=1914|term=18th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Lyttelton}}|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}
|rowspan=2|[[James McCombs]]
|-
{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Lyttelton}}|party=Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox|party=United Labour Party (New Zealand)|electorate={{NZ electorate link|Dunedin North}}|start={{NZ election link year|1914}}|end=1916|term=19th}}
|[[Andrew Walker (politician)|Andrew Walker]]
|}
{{clear}}

=== Early years (1916–1935) ===
Almost immediately, the new Labour Party became involved in the acrimonious debate about [[Military history of New Zealand during World War I#Recruiting and conscription|conscription]] which arose during [[World War I]]. The party strongly opposed conscription,{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=30}} and several leading members – [[Peter Fraser]], [[Harry Holland]], [[Bob Semple]] and [[Paddy Webb]] – were jailed and expelled from Parliament for their stand against the war.<ref name="Derby">{{cite encyclopedia|last1= Derby|first1= Mark|title= Conscription, conscientious objection and pacifism – Conscription|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/conscription-conscientious-objection-and-pacifism/page-1 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=19 June 2017|date=20 June 2012}}</ref> The loss of leadership threatened to seriously destabilise the party, but the party survived.<ref name="Derby"/> (Fraser, Semple and Webb later supported conscription in [[World War II]].<ref name="Derby"/>)

In its first real electoral test as a united party, the {{NZ election link|1919}}, Labour won eight seats – the party's quick success shocked many conservatives.{{sfn|Lipson|2011|p=211}} The eight seats compared with 47 for the governing [[Reform Party (New Zealand)|Reform Party]] and 21 for the [[New Zealand Liberal Party|Liberal Party]].{{sfn|Gustafson|1980|p=18}}

Although Labour had split with its more militant faction (which went on to form various socialist parties), it maintained what were at the time radical socialist policies. Labour's 'Usehold' policy on land was, in essence, the replacement of freehold tenure by a system of perpetual lease from the state, with all land-transfer conducted through the state (the full nationalisation of farmland). This policy proved unpopular with voters, and Labour dropped it, along with other more radical policies, in the course of the 1920s.<ref name="McLintock1966" />

[[File:New Zealand Parliamentary Labour Party, 1922.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Members of the Labour parliamentary [[caucus]], 1922. Prominent members are [[Harry Holland]] (seated, left of centre), [[Peter Fraser]] (seated, right of centre) and [[Michael Joseph Savage]] (back row, rightmost).]]
In the {{NZ election link|1922}}, Labour more than doubled its number of seats, winning seventeen. In the {{NZ election link|1925}}, it declined somewhat but had the consolation of soon overtaking the Liberals as the second-largest party. Labour leader Harry Holland became the official [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]] on 16 June 1926, after the [[1926 Eden by-election|Eden by-election]] on 15 April elected [[Rex Mason]] (Labour) to replace [[James Parr (politician)|James Parr]] (Reform), who had resigned. After the {{NZ election link|1928}}, however, the party was left in an advantageous position – the Reform Party had 28 seats and the new [[United Party (New Zealand)|United Party]] (a revival of the Liberals) had 27 seats, and neither could govern without Labour support. Labour chose to back United, the party closest to its own views – this put an end to five terms (1912–1928) of Reform Party government.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=79}}

In the early 1930s the rigours of the [[Great Depression]] brought Labour considerable popularity, but also caused tension between Labour and the United Party. In 1931 United passed a number of economic measures which Labour deemed hostile to workers, and the agreement between the two parties collapsed. United then formed [[United–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand|a coalition government]] with Reform, making Labour the Opposition. The coalition retained power in the {{NZ election link|1931}}, but gradually, the public became highly dissatisfied with its failure to resolve the country's economic problems. Harry Holland died in 1933 and his deputy, Michael Joseph Savage, became the Labour Party parliamentary leader. In the {{NZ election link|1935}}, the Labour Party gained a significant majority, gaining 53 seats to the coalition's 19, and returned to government.

Several of the early Labour Party stalwarts were Australian-born: [[Alfred Hindmarsh]], [[Harry Holland]], [[Michael Joseph Savage]], [[Bob Semple]], [[Paddy Webb]], [[Bill Parry (politician)|Bill Parry]] and later [[Jerry Skinner]], [[Mabel Howard]], [[Hugh Watt]], [[Jim Edwards (New Zealand politician)|Jim Edwards]] and [[Dorothy Jelicich]].

=== First Government (1935–1949) ===
{{main|First Labour Government of New Zealand}}
[[File:Michael Joseph Savage (cropped 3 by 4).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Michael Joseph Savage, the first Prime Minister from the Labour Party]]
Party leader [[Michael Joseph Savage]] became [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister]] on 6 December 1935, marking the beginning of Labour's first term in office. The new government quickly set about implementing a number of significant reforms, including a reorganisation of the [[welfare in New Zealand|social-welfare system]] and setting up the [[State housing in New Zealand|state housing]] scheme.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Aimer|first1=Peter|title=Labour Party – First Labour government, 1935 to 1949 |url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-2|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=19 June 2017|date=20 June 2012}}</ref> Workers also benefited from the introduction of the forty-hour week, and legislation making it easier for unions to negotiate on their behalf.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Epstein|first1=Richard A.|title=Employment and Labor Law Reform in New Zealand Lecture|journal=Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law|date= 2001|volume=33|url=http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2222&context=journal_articles|access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> Savage himself was highly popular with the working classes, and his portrait could be found on walls in many houses around the country.<ref>{{cite web|title= Michael Joseph Savage|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/michael-joseph-savage-biography|publisher= Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> At this time the Labour Party pursued an alliance with the [[Māori people|Māori]] [[Rātana]] movement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rātana and Labour seal alliance – 22 April 1936|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/ratana-and-labour-seal-alliance|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=17 May 2017|access-date=19 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

The parliamentary opposition, meanwhile, attacked the Labour Party's more left-wing policies and accused it of undermining free enterprise and hard work. In May 1936, months after Labour's first general election win, the Reform Party and the United Party took their coalition to the next step, agreeing to merge with each other. The combined organisation, named the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], would be Labour's main rival in future years.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=100}}

[[File:Labour Government caucus 1935.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Members of the [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|First Labour Government]] on the steps of the [[New Zealand Parliamentary Library|Parliamentary Library]] in Wellington, 1935]]
Labour also faced opposition within its own ranks. While the Labour Party had been explicitly socialist at its inception, it had gradually drifted away from its earlier radicalism. The death of the party's former leader, the "doctrinaire" Harry Holland, had marked a significant turning-point in the party's history. Some within the party, however, were displeased about the changing focus of the party. Most notably, [[John A. Lee]]. Lee, whose views were a mixture of socialism and [[social credit]] theory, emerged as a vocal critic of the party's leadership, accusing it of behaving autocratically and of betraying the party's rank and file. After a long and bitter dispute, the party executive [[The Lee Affair|expelled Lee]] from the party, who then established his own breakaway [[Democratic Labour Party (New Zealand)|Democratic Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite web|title=John A Lee|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/john-a-lee|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=19 June 2017|date=30 March 2015}}</ref>

Savage died in 1940 and [[Peter Fraser]], who became Labour's longest-serving prime minister, replaced him. Fraser became best-known as New Zealand's head of government for most of [[World War II]]. In the [[post-war]] period, however, ongoing shortages and industrial problems cost Labour considerable popularity, and the National Party, under [[Sidney Holland]], gained ground, although Labour was able to win the 1943 and 1946 elections. Eventually, in the {{NZ election link|1949}}, Labour suffered electoral defeat.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=133}}

Fraser died shortly afterward, and was replaced by [[Walter Nash]], the long-serving [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|minister of finance]].{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=136}} It would be some time before Labour would return to power; Nash lacked the charisma of his predecessors, and National won considerable support for opposing the "industrial anarchy" of the [[1951 New Zealand waterfront dispute|1951 waterfront dispute]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 1951 waterfront dispute |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/the-1951-waterfront-dispute |website=[[NZHistory]] |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=3 July 2021 |date=17 May 2017}}</ref> In the {{NZ election link|1957}}, however, Labour won a narrow majority of two seats, and returned to office.

=== Second Government (1957–1960) ===
{{main|Second Labour Government of New Zealand}}
Nash, Labour's third prime minister, took office in late 1957. Upon coming to power, Labour decided that drastic measures were needed to address [[balance-of-payments]] concerns.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=152}} This resulted in the highly unpopular 1958 [[Black Budget (New Zealand)|"Black Budget"]] of [[Arnold Nordmeyer]], the new minister of finance, which raised taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, cars, and petrol.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=154}} It is widely thought{{by whom|date=May 2021}} to have doomed the party to defeat despite the economy rejuvenating less than a year after the adoption of the Black Budget.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=154}} In the {{NZ election link|1960}}, the National Party returned to power.

[[File:Norman Kirk 1966 campaign opening.jpg|thumb|Leader [[Norman Kirk]] opening Labour's election campaign in 1966]]
The elderly Nash retired in 1963, suffering from ill health.{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=160}} Nordmeyer replaced him, but the taint of the Black Budget ensured that Nordmeyer did not have any appreciable success in reversing the party's fortunes. In 1965 the leadership went to the younger [[Norman Kirk]], who many believed would revitalise the party. Labour suffered defeat again in the next two elections, but in the {{NZ election link|1972}}, the party gained a significant majority over its rival.

=== Third Government (1972–1975) ===
{{main|Third Labour Government of New Zealand}}
Kirk proved an energetic prime minister and introduced a number of new policies. His [[New Zealand foreign policy|foreign-policy]] stances included strong criticism of [[nuclear-weapon]]s testing and of [[South Africa]]'s [[apartheid]] system. However, Kirk suffered from poor health, worsened by his refusal to slow the pace of his work. In 1974 Kirk was taken ill and [[Death of Norman Kirk|died]]. [[Bill Rowling]] replaced him, but did not have the same electoral appeal – in the {{NZ election link|1975}}, Labour was heavily defeated by the National Party, then led by [[Robert Muldoon]].{{sfn|Franks|McAloon|2016|p=184}}

[[File:Labour L Logo.png|thumb|left|Party logo from the mid-1960s until the early 1990s]]
Rowling remained the leader of the Labour Party for some time after his defeat. In the {{NZ election link|1978}} and the {{NZ election link|1981}} Labour won a larger share of the vote than National but failed to win an equivalent number of seats. This led to a very heated debate on New Zealand's electoral system, and precipitated the introduction of [[mixed-member proportional representation]] (MMP) [[1996 New Zealand general election|fifteen years later]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Royal Commission |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/fpp-to-mmp/royal-commission |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> Rowling himself was compared by media unfavourably to Muldoon, and did not cope well with Muldoon's aggressive style. In 1983 Rowling was replaced as parliamentary leader by [[David Lange]], whom the parliamentary caucus perceived as more charismatic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wallace Rowling|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/wallace-rowling |website=nzhistory.govt.nz|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=16 November 2017|language=en|date=21 August 2014}}</ref> In the [[snap election]] of {{NZ election link year|1984}}, Labour decisively defeated the National Party.

=== Fourth Government (1984–1990) ===
{{main|Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand}}
[[File:David Lange (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|The free-market policies of [[David Lange]]'s government deviated sharply from those of previous Labour governments]]
When the Fourth Labour Government came into power it uncovered a fiscal crisis that had been largely hidden by the outgoing [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National Government]].{{sfn|Miller|2005|pp=38–39}} Government debt was skyrocketing, due largely to the costs of borrowing to maintain a [[Fixed exchange rate system|fixed exchange-rate]]. When the result of the election became clear, Lange asked Muldoon to devalue the [[New Zealand dollar]], which Muldoon refused to do, resulting in [[1984 New Zealand constitutional crisis|a constitutional crisis]] and precipitating some of the changes in the [[Constitution Act 1986]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriated – History of the Governor-General|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-the-governor-general/patriated|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=19 June 2017|language= en}}</ref>

The economic-policy agenda of the Fourth Labour Government differed significantly from previous Labour governments. The minister of finance, [[Roger Douglas]], supported [[neoliberal]] theories, and sought to implement sweeping [[free-market]] reforms (dubbed "[[Rogernomics]]") to the economy and to the tax system.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Gray|first1=Tim|last2=Reardon|first2=John|title=About Turn: An Analysis of the Causes of the New Zealand Labour Party's Adoption of Neo-Liberal Policies 1984–1990|journal= Political Quarterly|year=2007|volume=78|issue=3|page=447 455|doi=10.1111/j.1467-923X.2007.00872.x |url= http://eprint.ncl.ac.uk/file_store/production/28177/3E59BD56-D5F3-4E4B-A565-9C7078145D81.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Easton">{{cite encyclopedia |author1-link=Brian Easton (economist) |last1=Easton |first1=Brian |title=Economic history – Government and market liberalisation |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/economic-history/page-11 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] | date=11 March 2010 |access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref> This involved floating the New Zealand dollar, cutting government spending, reducing taxes and removing almost all industry subsidies.<ref name="Easton"/> The government also revolutionised New Zealand's foreign policy, making the country a [[New Zealand nuclear-free zone|nuclear-free zone]], which resulted in suspension from the [[ANZUS]] alliance.<ref name="Lange1990">{{cite book| last =  Lange| first =  David| author-link = David Lange| title = Nuclear Free: The New Zealand Way| publisher = Penguin Books| year =  1990| location =  New Zealand}}</ref> Labour liberalised [[Immigration to New Zealand|immigration policy]] and promoted migration from Asia.<ref>{{cite journal|last1= Brawley|first1= Sean|title='No White Policy in NZ': Fact and Fiction in New Zealand's Asian Immigration Record, 1946–1978|journal=New Zealand Journal of History|date=1993|volume=27|issue=1|pages=33–36|url= http://www.nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/docs/1993/NZJH_27_1_03.pdf}}</ref>

Other innovations during the term of the Fourth Labour Government included extending the jurisdiction of the [[Waitangi Tribunal]] back to 1840 (the date of the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]]); the [[Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986]], which legalised homosexual relations; and the [[New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990|Bill of Rights Act]], which enumerated civil and political rights. Throughout its first term (1984–1987), the Labour government remained largely unified behind the enacted radical financial, economic and social policy reforms, but early signs of dissension began to appear before the 1987 election.{{sfn|Holland-Boston|1988|p=?}}

In {{NZ election link year|1987}} Labour won another considerable election victory against the National Party, while ruptures over the direction of policy remained concealed. Labour took votes in affluent seats where it had never come remotely close to winning even at high-tide elections. In the biggest shock of all, it came within 400 votes of taking the [[blue ribbon|blue-ribbon]] seat of [[Remuera (New Zealand electorate)|Remuera]] off National. At the same time, Labour suffered negative swings in more traditional seats. The government's second term (1987–1990), with an increased Labour majority won on the back of Lange's [[anti-nuclear]] stance, saw emerging divisions over economic policy arising within Cabinet.{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=40}} Ministers debated the extent and pace of further reforms, and there was disillusion among party members and supporters loyal to Labour's left-wing tradition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Social welfare & the state: Labour wins the 1987 election |url=http://sites.tepapa.govt.nz/sliceofheaven/web/html/rogernomicsobject8767.html?irn=2590 |website=sites.tepapa.govt.nz |publisher=Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Vowles 2013">{{cite book|last1=Vowles|first1=Jack|title=Voters' Vengeance: 1990 Election in New Zealand and the Fate of the Fourth Labour Government|date= 2013|publisher=Auckland University Press|isbn=978-1869407124|pages=14–15|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=0UFeAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT14|language=en}}</ref> The [[New Zealand Council of Trade Unions|Council of Trade Unions]] criticised the Labour Party. One vocal member of Parliament critical of government policy, former Party President [[Jim Anderton]], departed to establish the [[NewLabour Party (New Zealand)|NewLabour Party]], which later became a part of the left-wing [[Alliance (New Zealand political party)|Alliance Party]].{{sfn|Miller|2005|p=40}}<ref name="Vowles 2013"/> At the same time Roger Douglas and Lange fought intermittent battles inside Cabinet, with Douglas wanting to expand his economic programme dramatically. Lange strongly opposed a [[flat-tax]] proposal from Douglas and moved to sack him, resulting in political clashes throughout 1988 and the departure of Douglas from the Cabinet in December 1988. After the Labour Caucus re-elected Douglas to Cabinet on 3 August 1989, Lange resigned from office himself (8 August 1989), interpreting Douglas's reappointment as a vote of no confidence in his leadership.<ref name="Hubbard">{{cite news|last= Hubbard|first=Anthony|title=The Reluctant Prime Minister|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9433705/The-Reluctant-Prime-Minister|access-date=24 December 2017 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=23 November 2013}}</ref>

[[Geoffrey Palmer (politician)|Geoffrey Palmer]] became the new prime minister.<ref name="Hubbard"/> However, Palmer failed to rebuild the shattered remnants of Lange's government and in September 1990, [[Mike Moore (New Zealand politician)|Mike Moore]] replaced him. Despite Moore's ascension somewhat salvaging poll-ratings, Labour suffered its worst defeat since it first took office in 1935 (losing twenty-eight seats) as voters flung it into the political wilderness in a massive landslide.<ref name="Vowles 2013"/> National swept to power, seemingly repudiating the Lange/Douglas program, but then engaged in even more radical policies than Labour had contemplated. Political disillusionment caused by both governments was to be instrumental in the later adoption of [[mixed-member proportional representation]] (MMP) in 1993 (implemented in 1996).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vowles |first1=Jack |title=The Politics of Electoral Reform in New Zealand |journal=International Political Science Review |date=1995 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=95–115 |doi=10.1177/019251219501600107 |jstor=1601171 |s2cid=144488147 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1601171 |issn=0192-5121}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The road to MMP – The Royal Commission |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/fpp-to-mmp/royal-commission |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |language=en |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=11 February 2023}}</ref>

Moore himself, despite recovering sixteen seats at the 1993 election, was replaced by [[Helen Clark]] in December 1993. Clark led the party in opposition to the National government for six years under the administrations of [[Jim Bolger]] (1993–1997) and [[Jenny Shipley]] (1997–1999). During this period in opposition, the party made a measured repudiation of Rogernomics, although it has never returned to its original leftist roots (Labour's contemporary position is left-of-centre).<ref name="boston"/><ref name="centre-left"/> When the {{NZ election link|1996}}, the first conducted under the MMP electoral system, gave the [[Balance of power (parliament)|balance of power]] to the centrist [[New Zealand First]] party, many believed that Labour would return to power, but in the end New Zealand First formed a coalition arrangement with the National Party. Despite initially appearing coherent, the coalition became increasingly unstable and eventually collapsed, leaving the National Party to govern as a [[minority government]] from 1998 to 1999.

=== Fifth Government (1999–2008) ===
{{main|Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand}}
[[File:Helen_Clark_Visits_the_National_Assembly_for_Wales,_11_April_2012_-_Ymweliad_Helen_Clark_i_Gynulliad_Cenedlaethol_Cymru,_11_Ebrill_2012_(7083404269)_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Helen Clark]], Labour Prime Minister from 1999 to 2008]]
After the {{NZ election link|1999}}, a minority coalition government of Labour and the [[Alliance (New Zealand political party)|Alliance]] took power, supported by the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]] with Helen Clark becoming New Zealand's second female prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|title= Helen Clark|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/helen-clark |website=nzhistory.govt.nz|publisher= New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.|language=en}}</ref> This government, while undertaking a number of reforms, was not particularly radical when compared to previous Labour governments, and maintained a high level of popularity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Skilling |first1=Peter |title=New Zealand's Fifth Labour Government (1999–2008): A New Partnership with Business and Society? |journal=Labour History |date=2010 |issue=98 |pages=39–53 |doi=10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39 |jstor=10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39 |url= https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.39 |issn=0023-6942}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Espiner |first1=Colin |title=The prime of Helen Clark - steady as she goes |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/vote-08/news/profiles-28606/633471/The-prime-of-Helen-Clark-steady-as-she-goes |access-date=23 January 2023 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 July 2014 |language=en}}</ref> The Alliance, however, fell in popularity and split internally. Clark cited the Alliance split as one of the reasons for calling the {{NZ election link|2002}} several months early; Labour won comfortably.<ref>{{Cite journal|last= Geddis|first= Andrew|date=2004|title=The General Election in New Zealand, July 2002.|journal= Electoral Studies |volume=23|issue=1|pages=149–155|doi=10.1016/s0261-3794(03)00036-2}}</ref>

Policies of the Fifth Labour Government included the [[KiwiSaver]] scheme,<ref>{{cite web|title= KiwiSaver Act 2006 No 40 (as at 01 April 2017), Public Act Contents|url= http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2006/0040/latest/DLM378372.html|publisher= New Zealand Parliament|access-date=13 June 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref><!--See end reference for following policies--> the [[Working for Families]] package, increasing the [[minimum wage]] 5% a year, interest-free student loans, the establishment of [[district health board]]s, the introduction of a number of [[tax credit]]s, overhauling the secondary-school qualifications system by introducing the [[National Certificate of Educational Achievement|NCEA]], and the introduction of fourteen weeks' parental leave.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Julc0FIsYMEC&q=new+zealand+abolished+interest+student+loans+2008&pg=PA50|title= Historical Dictionary of Polynesia|isbn=978-0810867727|last1=Craig|first1=Robert D.|year=2011|publisher= Rowman & Littlefield}}</ref> Labour also supported the [[Civil Union Act 2004]], which legalised [[civil union in New Zealand|civil unions]] for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|title= Civil Union Bill – Procedure, Third Reading|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20041209_00000803/civil-union-bill-procedure-third-reading|publisher= New Zealand Parliament|access-date=13 June 2017|language=en|date=9 December 2004}}</ref>

The foreign policy of the Fifth Labour Government strongly reflected [[liberal internationalist]] doctrine, with a particular emphasis on promoting democracy and human rights, advocating for antimilitarism and [[disarmament]], and encouragement of free trade.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McCraw |first1=David |title=New Zealand Foreign Policy Under the Clark Government: High Tide of Liberal Internationalism |journal=Pacific Affairs |date=2005 |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=217–235 |doi=10.5509/2005782217 |jstor=40023914 |hdl=10289/8178 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40023914 |access-date=16 February 2024 |issn=0030-851X|hdl-access=free }}</ref> In 2003, the government opposed New Zealand military action in the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NZ made 'right judgement' over Iraq|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/308164/nz-made-'right-judgement'-over-iraq|access-date=7 July 2016|work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=7 July 2016|language=en-nz}}</ref> 

In early 2004 Labour came under attack in the [[New Zealand foreshore and seabed controversy|foreshore and seabed controversy]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Barker|first1=Fiona|title= Debate about the foreshore and seabed|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/34605/debate-about-the-foreshore-and-seabed|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=13 June 2017|date=June 2012}}</ref> Significant internal tensions within the party eventually culminated in the resignation of junior minister [[Tariana Turia]] and her establishment of the new [[Māori Party]].<ref>{{cite news|last1= Dunne|first1=Peter|title=What to do about that foreshore and seabed? |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/3236512/What-to-do-about-that-foreshore-and-seabed|access-date=13 June 2017|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=18 January 2010|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Labourlogo2008.png|thumb|left|Party logo in 2008]]
Following the {{NZ election link|2005}}, Labour formed a minority coalition with the [[New Zealand Progressive Party|Progressive Party]] (breakaway party of the old Alliance), and entered into complex [[confidence and supply]] agreements with the centrist [[United Future]] and populist [[New Zealand First]] parties, which gave each party's leader a ministerial portfolio, while the support parties remained outside the Cabinet. A limited support agreement also linked Labour with the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]], giving certain policy concessions to the Greens in return for abstention on [[confidence-and-supply]] votes. Labour lost power when the National Party soundly defeated it in the {{NZ election link|2008}}.

=== In opposition (2008–2017) ===
[[File:Mining Protest-4 cropped.jpg|thumb|Then-leader [[Phil Goff]] with future leader [[Jacinda Ardern]] and [[Carol Beaumont]] at a 2010 anti-mining march in Auckland]]
Following the loss to the National Party in the November 2008 election, Helen Clark stood down as leader of the party<ref name="nzh_clark_stands_down">{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10541889 |title= Clark stands down after Key wins NZ election |date=8 November 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> – [[Phil Goff]] succeeded her (serving from 2008–2011).<ref name="Shearer resign">{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769673 |title= Goff resignation sparks leader race |date=29 November 2011 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=29 November 2011}}</ref> Labour had a relatively high turnover of four leaders during its most recent term in opposition; journalist [[Nicky Hager]] has attributed this to Labour's reaction to changes within public media and the political environment.<ref>Hager, Nicky, (2014). ''Dirty Politics: How Attack Politics in Poisoning New Zealand's Political Environment''. Nelson: Craig Potton Publishing.</ref> Goff led Labour into a second electoral defeat in {{NZ election link year|2011}} and was succeeded by [[David Shearer]], who led the Labour parliamentary from 2011 to 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9074568/David-Shearer-quits |title=David Shearer quits |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref> 

Shearer resigned after losing the confidence of caucus. [[David Cunliffe]] (2013–2014) assumed the leadership after the [[2013 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|2013 leadership election]] in which, under new rules, members and unions held 60% of the vote.<ref name="Cunliffe wins">{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9166765/Cunliffe-wins-Labour-leadership |title=Cunliffe wins Labour leadership |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=15 September 2013 |access-date= 15 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="EIU">{{cite web|author=EIU Digital Solutions|title=New Labour leader chosen|url=http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=200964404&Country=New%20Zealand&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=Election+watch&u=1&pid=2024544386&oid=2024544386&uid=1|website=country.eiu.com|access-date=4 September 2016 |date= 17 September 2013}}</ref> Most of the Labour caucus disliked Cunliffe, but he had strong support from the party membership. In the leadership contest he won first-preference votes from only one-third of Labour MPs.<ref name="EIU"/> 

Cunliffe's tenure as leader quickly became mired in internal disputes and falling poll-ratings. Labour went on to suffer its worst electoral reversal since 1922 at the {{NZ election link year|2014}} election, Cunliffe opted to resign after initially wishing to re-contest the leadership. His replacement, [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] (2014–2017), then resigned in 2017 following new polling showing the party sinking to a record low result of 24%, with internal voices hoping that rising star [[Jacinda Ardern]] would take over in his stead.<ref name="Watkins">{{cite news|last1=Watkins|first1=Tracy|title= Jacinda Ardern new Labour leader as Andrew Little quits|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95305769/Labour-leadership-D-day-Andrew-Littles-job-on-the-line|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=1 August 2017|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref> 

The caucus confirmed Ardern as the new Labour leader (2017–2023).<ref name="Watkins"/><ref>{{cite news|last1= Graham|first1=Charlotte|title=Jacinda Ardern Takes Over New Zealand Opposition as Election Looms|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/world/asia/andrew-little-new-zealand-labour-party.html|access-date=1 August 2017|work=The New York Times|date= 31 July 2017}}</ref> After Ardern's election to its parliamentary leadership Labour rose dramatically in opinion polls. By late August they had risen to 43% in one poll (having been 24% under Little's leadership), as well as managing to overtake National in opinion polls for the first time in over a decade.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11922098 |title=Little asked Ardern to lead six days before he resigned |date=14 September 2017 |access-date= 15 November 2017 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref>

=== Sixth Government (2017–2023) ===
{{main|Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand}}
[[File:Jacinda Ardern crop.jpg|upright|left|thumb|[[Jacinda Ardern]], Labour Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023]]
[[File:Chris Hipkins 2023 cropped headshot.jpg|upright|left|thumb|[[Chris Hipkins]], Labour Prime Minister in 2023]]
During the {{NZ election link|2017}}, Labour gained 36.6% of the party vote and increased its presence in the House of Representatives to 46 seats, making it the second-largest party in Parliament.<ref name="2017 general election results"/> On 19 October 2017, New Zealand First leader [[Winston Peters]] announced that his party would form a coalition government with Labour,<ref>{{cite news|title= Labour finally retake power after Winston Peters gives Jacinda Ardern his support|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97827871/labour-finally-retake-power-after-winston-peters-gives-jacinda-ardern-his-support|access-date=19 October 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date= 19 October 2017}}</ref> citing changing international and internal economic circumstances as the reasoning behind his decision,<ref>{{cite news|title= Winston Peters on why he chose a Labour-led government|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11934973|work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> coupled with a belief that a Labour government was best-placed to handle the social and economic welfare of New Zealanders in a global environment that was undergoing rapid and "seismic" change.<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news |last1= Roy|first1=Eleanor Ainge|title=Jacinda Ardern to be New Zealand's next PM after Labour coalition deal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/19/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister-labour-coalition-deal-winston-peters|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> This coalition, combined with [[confidence and supply]] from the Green Party,<ref>{{cite news |title= Green Party ratifies confidence and supply deal with Labour|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11934957|work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=19 October 2017|date=19 October 2017}}</ref> saw Labour return to government for the first time since 2008. Ardern became prime minister, with Peters as her deputy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Audrey|title=Winston Peters to become Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11936001|access-date= 10 September 2018|work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=23 October 2017 |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

The Labour government pledged to eliminate child poverty, make tertiary education free, reduce immigration by 20,000 to 30,000, [[Abortion in New Zealand|decriminalise abortion]], and make all rivers swimmable within 10 years.<ref name="The Guardian" /> Notable policies, programmes and legislation during the [[52nd New Zealand Parliament|2017&ndash;2020 term]] included scrapping the previous National Government's national standards in schools and [[Charter schools in New Zealand|charter schools]], the [[KiwiBuild]] affordable housing programme, restricting oil and gas exploration, [[Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019|banning semi-automatic firearms]], restoring voting rights for prisoners serving less than three years and [[Abortion Legislation Act 2020|decriminalising abortion]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moir|first1=Jo|title=National Standards have officially ended in primary schools across the country|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/99774465/National-Standards-have-officially-ended-in-primary-schools-across-the-country|access-date=8 March 2018|agency=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=12 December 2017|archive-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308110422/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/99774465/National-Standards-have-officially-ended-in-primary-schools-across-the-country|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bracewell-Worrall |first1=Anna |title=All NZ charter schools now approved to become state integrated |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/all-nz-charter-schools-now-approved-to-become-state-integrated.html |access-date=20 March 2019 |publisher=[[Newshub]] |date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207143557/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/all-nz-charter-schools-now-approved-to-become-state-integrated.html |archive-date=7 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/kiwibuild-spearheads-42-billion-capital-spending-programme-b-211193 |title=KiwiBuild spearheads $42b capital spending programme |first=Paul |last=McBeth |work=[[National Business Review]] |date=14 December 2017 |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oil, gas exploration move a 'kick in the guts' for Taranaki - mayor|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/354816/oil-gas-exploration-move-a-kick-in-the-guts-for-taranaki-mayor|access-date=11 April 2018|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=11 April 2018|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112092840/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/354816/oil-gas-exploration-move-a-kick-in-the-guts-for-taranaki-mayor|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Firearms Amendment Bill passes final reading in Parliament |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/386778/firearms-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament |access-date=10 April 2019 |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410104001/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/386778/firearms-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Henry |title=Bizarre scenes as Parliament legalises prisoner voting |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300041853/bizarre-scenes-as-parliament-legalises-prisoner-voting |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624224133/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300041853/bizarre-scenes-as-parliament-legalises-prisoner-voting|archive-date=24 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Abortion Legislation Bill passes third and final reading in Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/412087/abortion-legislation-bill-passes-third-and-final-reading-in-parliament |accessdate=18 March 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330023938/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/412087/abortion-legislation-bill-passes-third-and-final-reading-in-parliament|archive-date=30 March 2020}}</ref> The Labour Government also adopted an elimination approach towards the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand]], instituting lockdowns and closing the border.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Scott |title=Coronavirus: New Zealand goes to COVID-19 alert level 3 |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-new-zealand-goes-to-covid-19-alert-level-3.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=28 March 2020 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323055338/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/03/coronavirus-new-zealand-goes-to-covid-19-alert-level-3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Live - Everyone travelling to NZ from overseas to self-isolate |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/411738/live-everyone-travelling-to-nz-from-overseas-to-self-isolate |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=14 March 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418210801/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/411738/live-everyone-travelling-to-nz-from-overseas-to-self-isolate |url-status=live }}</ref> Both Labour and Prime Minister Ardern attracted high domestic poll ratings due to their initial COVID-19 responses in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2020/05/21/party.html |title=Pressure mounts as National falls to 29%, Labour skyrockets in 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton poll |date=21 May 2020 |work=1 News |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018032744/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2020/05/21/party.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author-link= Tova O'Brien |last=O'Brien |first=Tova |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/newshub-reid-research-poll-jacinda-ardern-goes-stratospheric-simon-bridges-is-annihilated.html |title=Newshub-Reid Research Poll: Jacinda Ardern goes stratospheric, Simon Bridges is annihilated |date=18 May 2020 |work=[[Newshub]] |publisher=MediaWorks TV |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521224140/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/newshub-reid-research-poll-jacinda-ardern-goes-stratospheric-simon-bridges-is-annihilated.html |archive-date=21 May 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In mid-July 2020, the [[Serious Fraud Office (New Zealand)|Serious Fraud Office]] announced that it was investigating donations made to the Labour Party by two Chinese businessmen during the 2017 general election. Labour Party President [[Claire Szabó]] announced that the party would co-operate with the investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Collette |title=Serious Fraud Office investigation into donations made to Labour Party in 2017 |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122119207/serious-fraud-office-investigation-into-donations-made-to-labour-party-in-2017 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=13 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200714091418/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122119207/serious-fraud-office-investigation-into-donations-made-to-labour-party-in-2017 |archive-date=14 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Sam |title=Serious Fraud Office launches investigation into Labour Party donations from 2017 |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12347726 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=13 July 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200714100107/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12347726|archive-date=14 July 2020}}</ref> The 2017&ndash;2020 term saw several ministerial resignations for various indiscretions, notably [[Phil Twyford]], [[Clare Curran]], [[Meka Whaitiri]] and [[David Clark (New Zealand politician)|David Clark]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/104196693/minister-phil-twyford-apologises-for-civil-aviation-breach|title=Minister Phil Twyford apologises for Civil Aviation breach|last1=Watkins|first1=Tracy|date=24 May 2018|access-date=24 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|last2=Moir|first2=Jo}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jacinda Ardern sacks Clare Curran from Cabinet, removes her from two portfolios after second failure to declare a meeting |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-sacks-clare-curran-cabinet-removes-her-two-portfolios-after-second-failure-declare-meeting |access-date=24 August 2018 |publisher=[[1News]] |date=24 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |last2=Cooke |first2=Henry |title=Health Minister drives to local park to ride his mountain bike, amid coronavirus lockdown |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120780372/health-minister-drives-to-local-park-to-ride-his-mountain-bike-amid-coronavirus-lockdown |access-date=4 April 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=2 April 2020}}</ref>

In the {{NZ election link|2020}}, Labour gained 50% of the [[party vote]] and increased its presence in the House of Representatives to 65 seats, marking the first time that a party has won enough seats to govern alone since the introduction of the MMP system in 1996. Described as a "landslide" victory<ref name="2020_election" /> in which the party won the party vote in "virtually every single electorate", Labour is believed{{by whom|date=May 2021}} to have gained support from [[swing vote]]rs, many of whom had previously voted for National under [[John Key]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Cooke|date=8 August 2020|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign|title=Election 2020: Labour launches an extremely centrist campaign|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last= Mclauchlan|first= Danyl|date=10 October 2020|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-10-2020/labour-has-taken-the-centre-is-it-a-trap/|title=Labour has taken the centre. Is it a trap?|website=[[The Spinoff]] |access-date= 22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Richard|date=19 October 2020|url= http://theconversation.com/labours-single-party-majority-is-not-a-failure-of-mmp-it-is-a-sign-nzs-electoral-system-is-working-148328|title=Labour's single-party majority is not a failure of MMP, it is a sign NZ's electoral system is working|website=The Conversation|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> On 20 October, [[Newshub]] reported that Ardern was not intending to forge a formal coalition with the Green Party but was exploring the possibility of a lower-level support arrangement due to Labour's large parliamentary majority.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Tova |title=Labour will not be forming a formal coalition with the Greens |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/labour-will-not-be-forming-a-formal-coalition-with-the-greens.html |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020062820/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/labour-will-not-be-forming-a-formal-coalition-with-the-greens.html |archive-date=20 October 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following prolonged negotiations, the Green Party agreed to enter into a cooperation agreement with the Labour Party on 31 October and received two [[Ministers in the New Zealand Government|ministerial portfolios]] in return. Despite this landslide victory Labour faced criticism from economists due to the government's lack of action on [[New Zealand property bubble|New Zealand's housing affordability crisis]], despite it being a key feature of Labour's 2017 election campaign.<ref>
{{Cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Jonathan|url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/434380/urgent-government-intervention-needed-to-address-housing-supply-shortage-economists|title=Urgent government intervention needed to address housing supply shortage – economists|date=12 January 2021|access-date=12 January 2021|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]}}</ref>

Notable policies, programmes and legislations during the [[53rd New Zealand Parliament|2020&ndash;2023 term]] included the [[Ministry of Transport (New Zealand)#Clean Car Discount|Clean Car rebate programme]], [[Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022|making]] the Māori New Year [[Matariki]] a public holiday,  [[Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022|banning]] [[conversion therapy]], replacing the [[district health boards]] with a national health service called [[Te Whatu Ora]] (Health New Zealand), passing [[Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022|smokefree legislation]] banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009, [[Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Act 2022|repealing "three strikes" legislation]], and banning live animal exports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=New Zealand unveils $8,600 subsidy for electric vehicles to reduce emissions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/14/new-zealand-unveils-8600-subsidy-for-electric-vehicles-to-reduce-emissions |access-date=14 June 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614224431/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/14/new-zealand-unveils-8600-subsidy-for-electric-vehicles-to-reduce-emissions |archive-date=14 June 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Kate |title=Matariki Public Holiday Bill has first reading in Parliament |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300420056/matariki-public-holiday-bill-has-first-reading-in-parliament |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=30 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001001834/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300420056/matariki-public-holiday-bill-has-first-reading-in-parliament |archive-date=1 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=15 February 2022|title=Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes|access-date=21 February 2022|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218050733/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes|archive-date=18 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Health System Act passes third reading in Parliament |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/06/08/new-health-system-act-passes-third-reading-in-parliament/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607184346/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/06/08/new-health-system-act-passes-third-reading-in-parliament/ |archive-date=7 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Christina |title=Parliament votes to scrap three strikes law |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/09/parliament-votes-to-scrap-three-strikes-law/ |access-date=10 August 2022 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810025038/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/09/parliament-votes-to-scrap-three-strikes-law/ |archive-date=10 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Government passes bill to ban livestock exports by sea |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475676/government-passes-bill-to-ban-livestock-exports-by-sea |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928070652/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475676/government-passes-bill-to-ban-livestock-exports-by-sea |archive-date=28 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In terms of foreign policy, the Labour Government supported [[Ukraine]] following the 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], [[Russia Sanctions Act 2022|sanctioned]] Russia, signed [[free trade agreements]] with both the [[United Kingdom]] and [[European Union]], and advocated restraint in response to the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ardern |first1=Jacinda |last2=Mahuta |first2=Nanaia |title=Aotearoa New Zealand condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aotearoa-new-zealand-condemns-russian-invasion-ukraine |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225113349/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aotearoa-new-zealand-condemns-russian-invasion-ukraine |archive-date=25 February 2022 |date=24 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Parliament unanimously passes Russia Sanctions Bill |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/463022/parliament-unanimously-passes-russia-sanctions-bill |access-date=11 March 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309155948/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/463022/parliament-unanimously-passes-russia-sanctions-bill |archive-date=9 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand signs free trade deal with UK to eliminate all tariffs for NZ exports |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/462488/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-uk-to-eliminate-all-tariffs-for-nz-exports |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301032043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/462488/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-uk-to-eliminate-all-tariffs-for-nz-exports |archive-date=1 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Jane |title=New Zealand signs free trade deal with European Union after years of negotiations |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/493457/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-european-union-after-years-of-negotiations |access-date=10 July 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709205658/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/493457/new-zealand-signs-free-trade-deal-with-european-union-after-years-of-negotiations |archive-date=9 July 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The Government also implemented several [[co-governance]] arrangements in the public sector including entrenching [[Māori wards and constituencies]] in [[Local government in New Zealand|local government]],  the [[Water Services Reform Programme|Three Waters reform programme]], and creating [[Te Aka Whai Ora]] (the Māori Health Authority).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scotcher |first1=Katie |title=Māori wards amendment bill passes final reading in Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224112233/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Government pushes ahead with Three Waters reform, will take water services from councils |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126797566/government-pushes-ahead-with-three-waters-reform-will-take-water-services-from-councils |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027044310/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126797566/government-pushes-ahead-with-three-waters-reform-will-take-water-services-from-councils |archive-date=27 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Government announces team leading new Health NZ and Māori Health Authority |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/452106/government-announces-team-leading-new-health-nz-and-maori-health-authority |access-date=25 September 2021 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923143232/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/452106/government-announces-team-leading-new-health-nz-and-maori-health-authority |archive-date=23 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a major COVID-19 outbreak in August 2021,<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 August 2021|title=Covid-19 coronavirus: New Zealand going into lockdown - what you can and can't do under level 4|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-new-zealand-going-into-lockdown-what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-level-4/67ZNV2LOA2HXOGHTJAUES5I77I/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817073650/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-new-zealand-going-into-lockdown-what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-level-4/67ZNV2LOA2HXOGHTJAUES5I77I/|archive-date=17 August 2021|access-date=17 August 2021|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> the Labour Government abandoned its elimination strategy and gradually eased lockdown, border restrictions, vaccine mandates and masking requirements between 2021 and 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corlett |first1=Eva |title=New Zealand Covid elimination strategy to be phased out, Ardern says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision |access-date=4 October 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004002428/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision |archive-date=4 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand border reopening fully from end of July |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/466864/new-zealand-border-reopening-fully-from-end-of-july |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511020352/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/466864/new-zealand-border-reopening-fully-from-end-of-july |archive-date=11 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Covid-19 traffic light system scrapped: All you need to know |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-traffic-light-system-scrapped-all-you-need-to-know/2U5IN5GLHEUGLEHS6C43ZE3W4E/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=12 September 2022}}</ref> During that period, growing opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates led to the emergence of several anti-vaccination protest groups including [[Voices for Freedom]] and [[Brian Tamaki]]'s [[The Freedoms and Rights Coalition]], culminating in the [[2022 Wellington protest|2022 occupation of Parliament's grounds]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Satherley |first1=Dan |title=Anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom booted off Facebook for spreading COVID-19 misinformation |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/anti-vaccination-group-voices-for-freedom-booted-off-facebook-for-spreading-covid-19-misinformation.html |access-date=20 November 2021 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109235345/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/anti-vaccination-group-voices-for-freedom-booted-off-facebook-for-spreading-covid-19-misinformation.html |archive-date=9 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Somerville |first1=Troes |title=Covid-19: Destiny Church denies making profit from protest group's anti-lockdown merchandise |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/126840776/covid19-destiny-church-denies-making-profit-from-protest-groups-antilockdown-merchandise |access-date=9 November 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105015310/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/126840776/covid19-destiny-church-denies-making-profit-from-protest-groups-antilockdown-merchandise |archive-date=5 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spoonley |first=Paul |title=The extremism visible at the parliament protest has been growing in NZ for years – is enough being done? |url=https://theconversation.com/the-extremism-visible-at-the-parliament-protest-has-been-growing-in-nz-for-years-is-enough-being-done-177831 |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301190134/https://theconversation.com/the-extremism-visible-at-the-parliament-protest-has-been-growing-in-nz-for-years-is-enough-being-done-177831|archive-date=1 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 19 January 2023, Ardern announced her resignation as party leader and therefore prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigning in February, announces election 2023 will be held on October 14 |language=en |work=[[Newshub]] |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-announces-election-2023-will-be-held-on-october-14.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230119004929/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-announces-election-2023-will-be-held-on-october-14.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 January 2023 |access-date=19 January 2023}}</ref> In the resultant [[2023 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|leadership election]] [[Chris Hipkins]] was the only candidate and was confirmed as the new Labour leader on 22 January.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daalder |first1=Marc |title=Hipkins promises focus on 'bread and butter issues' |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/labour-mps-gather-to-choose-new-pm |access-date=22 January 2023 |work=Newsroom |date=22 January 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Hipkins' premiership saw a shift in focus to "cost of living issues" and a "policy bonfire" that saw the scrapping or revision of several Government policies and initiatives including the [[Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media|planned merger]] of public broadcasters [[RNZ]] and [[TVNZ]], a [[biofuel]] mandate, lowering the voting age to 16 years and the Clean Car Upgrade programme.<ref>{{cite news |title=New PM spreads $718m in 'bread and butter' cost-of-living support |url=https://insidegovernment.co.nz/new-pm-spreads-718m-in-bread-and-butter-cost-of-living-support/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Inside Government NZ |publisher=[[JSL Media]] |date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203235633/https://insidegovernment.co.nz/new-pm-spreads-718m-in-bread-and-butter-cost-of-living-support/|archive-date=3 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Watch: TVNZ/RNZ merger scrapped, income insurance and hate speech laws delayed |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/483875/watch-tvnz-rnz-merger-scrapped-income-insurance-and-hate-speech-laws-delayed |access-date=8 February 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208041638/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/483875/watch-tvnz-rnz-merger-scrapped-income-insurance-and-hate-speech-laws-delayed |archive-date=8 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Hipkins' government also responded to two natural disasters, the [[2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods]] and [[Cyclone Gabrielle]], which devastated Auckland and the east coast of the [[North Island]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/auckland-northland-flooding-cabinet-re-shuffle-announced-pm-hipkins-to-address-state-of-emergency/TJOIAGWMO5A7BPTONEPN454HHE/ |title=Cabinet reshuffle: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins unveils new line-up; Government response to Auckland flooding |first=Michael |last=Neilson |date=31 January 2023 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131114432/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/auckland-northland-flooding-cabinet-re-shuffle-announced-pm-hipkins-to-address-state-of-emergency/TJOIAGWMO5A7BPTONEPN454HHE/|archive-date=31 January 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McAnulty |first1=Kieran |title=State of National Emergency Declared |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-national-emergency-declared |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |access-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214025516/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-national-emergency-declared |archive-date=14 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM's policy bonfire: Voting age bill, transport schemes 'reprioritsed' |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/13/pms-policy-bonfire-voting-age-bill-transport-schemes-reprioritsed/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313035738/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/13/pms-policy-bonfire-voting-age-bill-transport-schemes-reprioritsed/ |archive-date=13 March 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the [[dissolution of Parliament]], the Labour Government passed [[Natural and Built Environment Act 2023|two]] [[Spatial Planning Act 2023|laws]] as part of efforts to replace the [[Resource Management Act 1991]].<ref>{{cite news |title=RMA replacement bills pass third readings in Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/495939/rma-replacement-bills-pass-third-readings-in-parliament |access-date=7 February 2024 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227011740/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/495939/rma-replacement-bills-pass-third-readings-in-parliament |archive-date=27 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearse |first1=Adam |last2=Nightingale |first2=Melissa |date=24 July 2023 |title=Justice Minister Kiri Allan's arrest and resignation: PM details 'difficult' conversation |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/justice-minister-kiri-allans-arrest-and-resignation-absolutely-devastating-colleagues-reacts/Z2FN24JOKJHZZJJJH32WB4FEMA/ |access-date=24 July 2023 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

The 2020&ndash;2023 term saw the expulsion of Labour MP [[Gaurav Sharma (politician)|Gaurav Sharma]], the resignations of ministers [[Stuart Nash]] and [[Kiri Allan]], and ministers [[Michael Wood (New Zealand politician)|Michael Wood]] and [[Jan Tinetti]] being disciplined by Parliament's privileges committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scotcher |first1=Katie |title=Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma expelled from Labour caucus |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/473325/hamilton-west-mp-gaurav-sharma-expelled-from-labour-caucus |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=23 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/28-03-2023/in-full-the-pms-statement-on-nash-sacking|title=In full: The PM's statement on Nash sacking|work=[[The Spinoff]]|date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171928/https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/28-03-2023/in-full-the-pms-statement-on-nash-sacking|archive-date=4 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Wood ordered to apologise to Parliament over shareholdings |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496413/michael-wood-ordered-to-apologise-to-parliament-over-shareholdings |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829043555/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496413/michael-wood-ordered-to-apologise-to-parliament-over-shareholdings |archive-date=29 August 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jan Tinetti made error of judgement that misled Parliament, Privileges committee finds |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/492852/jan-tinetti-made-error-of-judgement-that-misled-parliament-privileges-committee-finds |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=29 June 2023 |language=en-nz}}</ref> The 2023 NZ general election, held on 14 October 2023, saw the Labour government lose its majority to the opposition National Party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McConnell |first=Glenn |date=15 October 2023 |title=Who's coming and going in Parliament after seismic election result |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133123170/whos-coming-and-going-in-parliament-after-seismic-election-result |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020212614/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133123170/whos-coming-and-going-in-parliament-after-seismic-election-result|archive-date=20 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guardian 2023 election" /> Based on final results, Labour's share of the popular vote declined to 26.91% while its share of Parliamentary seats dropped to 34.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official count – Overall Results |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/ |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107112928/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/ |archive-date=7 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2023 General Election: Successful candidates |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117114239/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html |archive-date=17 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== In opposition, 2023&ndash;present===
{{Main|Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins}} 
In early November 2023, caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was re-elected as leader of the Labour Party and [[Carmel Sepuloni]] was elected as deputy leader.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Thomas |last1=Coughlan |first2=Adam |last2=Pearse |title=Chris Hipkins stays as Labour leader, Carmel Sepuloni takes over deputy from Kelvin Davis |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-leadership-vote-chris-hipkins-to-reveal-whether-hes-staying-on/E4WDBFVSWBFXHMOE2Y37ILJYFA/ |date=7 November 2023 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=30 November 2023 |language=en }}</ref> In early 2024, three veteran Labour MPs [[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]], [[Rino Tirikatene]] and [[Grant Robertson]] resigned from Parliament, allowing [[Shanan Halbert]], [[Tracey McLellan]] and [[Glen Bennett]] to re-enter Parliament via the party list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour reshuffle: Edmonds moves up as Finance spokesperson |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509662/labour-reshuffle-edmonds-moves-up-as-finance-spokesperson |access-date=20 February 2024 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220002535/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509662/labour-reshuffle-edmonds-moves-up-as-finance-spokesperson |archive-date=20 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rilkoff |first=Matthew |date=19 February 2024 |title=Former New Plymouth Labour MP Glen Bennett back in Parliament |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350185932/former-new-plymouth-labour-mp-glen-bennett-back-parliament |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224000049/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350185932/former-new-plymouth-labour-mp-glen-bennett-back-parliament|archive-date=24 February 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2024, Labour called for New Zealand to [[International recognition of the State of Palestine|recognise]] [[State of Palestine|Palestinian statehood]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |date=22 April 2024 |title=Labour calls for the Government to recognise Palestine |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350253770/labour-calls-government-recognise-palestine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423122126/https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350253770/labour-calls-government-recognise-palestine |archive-date=23 April 2024 |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=[[The Post (New Zealand)|The Post]]}}</ref> In February 2024, two Labour MPs questioned whether New Zealand should be entering the non-nuclear component of the [[AUKUS]], with foreign affairs spokesperson [[Phil Twyford]] describing it as an "offensive warfighting alliance against China."<ref name="RNZ 12 Feb 2024">{{cite news |last1=Pennington |first1=Phil |title=AUKUS a military pact designed to contain China, says Labour |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508926/aukus-a-military-pact-designed-to-contain-china-says-labour |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214085413/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508926/aukus-a-military-pact-designed-to-contain-china-says-labour |archive-date=14 February 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> At the Labour Party's annual conference in 2024, held between 29 November and 1 December, Chris Hipkins announced that under a Labour government, New Zealand would not be a part of AUKUS, saying that any government he leads would "restore New Zealand's proudly [[New Zealand nuclear-free zone|independent foreign policy]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Future Labour govt won't join AUKUS, Hipkins says |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/01/hipkins-rules-out-labour-joining-aukus-in-future-government/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |website=[[1News]] |language=en}}</ref>