Leader of the House (New Zealand)

In the New Zealand Parliament, the leader of the House is the government minister appointed by the prime minister to be responsible for the management of Government business in the House of Representatives. This includes determining the order in which the Government's legislative agenda will be addressed in the House. The leader of the House is also an ex officio member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

History and functions

The first leader of the House was appointed in 1978, although a similar office had existed in Australia since 1951 and another in the United Kingdom for several centuries. The responsibilities of the leader of the House were previously functions exercised by the prime minister.

The leader of the House serves three main functions:

• Moving motions for the Government that relate to House and committee procedure
• Determining the order of Government business in the House
• The primary responsibility for the Government's lawmaking programme

List of leaders of the House

The following individuals have been appointed as leader of the New Zealand House of Representatives:

See also

• Leader of the Legislative Council (equivalent in the New Zealand Legislative Council)

Notes

References