Home > Liberalism in New Zealand
This article gives an overview of liberalism in New Zealand. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
1 Introduction
In New Zealand, the term " liberalism" has been used by a large variety of groups and organisations, but usually refers to a support for individual liberties and limited government. The term is generally used only with a reference to a particular policy area, e.g. "market liberalism" or "social liberalism". Unqualified liberalism is less common; in its extreme form it is known as " libertarianism". Some historians claim that liberalism was a dominant force in New Zealand until around 1936, citing the strong position of the Liberal Party. However, there is (and always was) debate as to whether the Liberal Party was actually liberal — according to some observers, both today and at the time, it would be better described as socialist.
Today, there is no party which is universally recognised as "the party of liberalism", although there are parties which attempt to claim this title — ACT New Zealand, for example, officially labels itself "the Liberal Party". The right-wing parties, such as National and ACT, are the ones most commonly associated with economic liberalism, while the left-wing parties, such as Labour and the Greens, are the ones most commonly associated with social liberalism. Parties such as New Zealand First are not usually associated with either type.
2 Timeline
2.1 Liberal Party / United Party
- 1891: John Ballance, upon becoming Prime Minister, founds the Liberal Party. It is later led by Richard SeddonRichard John Seddon popularly known as King Dick became one of New Zealand's better-known and more colourful Premiers/Prime Ministers. Born in St Helens in Lancashire in 1845, he emigrated to Australia in 1863, becoming a miner in Bendigo. He moved to New and Joseph WardJoseph Ward was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Details He was approx. 26 years old, and a Sergeant in the 8th, among others, although some historians contend that none of the later leaders had the same ideological commitment to liberalism as Ballance and his allies.
- 1927Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 See also 1927 in aviation 1927 in film 1927 in literature 1927 in mu: Remnants of the party absorb the United New Zealand Political Organization, adopting the name " United PartyThis article is about the party created in 1927 from a faction of the Liberal Party. It should not be confused with United New Zealand, a political party founded in 1995. The two have no connection. The United Party of New Zealand was a party formed out o". The new party is led by George William ForbesGeorge William Forbes ( 12 March 1869 17 May, 1947) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. His rise to power as Prime Minister was unexpected, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years..
- 1936: The party merges with the Reform PartyThe Reform Party was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party. It was in government between 1912 and 1928, and later merged with the United Party (a remnant of the Liberals) t into the conservative National Party.
