Editing New Zealand Labour Party (section)

=== 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>