49th New Zealand Parliament

The 49th New Zealand Parliament was elected at the 2008 election. It comprised 122 members, including an overhang of two seats (an increase of one from the 48th Parliament) caused by the Māori Party having won two more electorate seats than its share of the party vote would otherwise have given it. The Parliament served from 2008 until the November 2011 election.

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system to elect its parliaments. Seventy of the members of the 49th Parliament represented geographical electorates: sixteen in the South Island, 47 in the North Island (one more than for the 48th Parliament) and seven Māori electorates. The remaining 52 (increased from fifty by the overhang) were elected from nationwide party vote candidate lists to realise proportionality.

There were 10 resignations leading to Electoral Commission replacement selections for new list Candidates from four parliamentary parties. Lockwood Smith was the Speaker in the 49th Parliament.

Electorate boundaries for 49th Parliament

The Representation Commission altered many of the boundaries of New Zealand's parliamentary electorates following the 2006 Census; the large growth in population between censuses lead to significant boundary changes, particularly in Auckland, the area around Christchurch and the central North Island. In May 2007, the Representation Commission announced the boundary changes to take effect for the next general election, with the boundaries finalised in September 2007.

The Commission announced the formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70. The new electorate, originally dubbed "Howick" (after the Auckland suburb), would have included parts of the existing Pakuranga, Manukau East and Clevedon electorates. After Pakuranga electors strongly objected to the proposed changes (which would have seen the inclusion of the population centres Panmure, Point England and Glen Innes into the electorate) the Commission largely reverted proposed changes to the boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate. The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Otahuhu into Manukau East. The revised new electorate received the name Botany to reflect its focus on the growing population-centres of Botany Downs–Dannemora. On paper, Botany counts as a safe National seat.

Even though the number of South Island electorates remains fixed, the decline in the population of electorates south of Christchurch resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill north to Rakaia shifting northwards. The electorates of Aoraki, Otago, Rakaia and Banks Peninsula all gravitated towards Christchurch. In the process:

• Aoraki received the new name of Rangitata
• Otago received the new name of Waitaki
• Rakaia received the new name of Selwyn
• Banks Peninsula received the new name of Port Hills

Other electorates in the lower South Island increased substantially in size. File:New Zealand election 2008 electorate results.svg

2008 election results

The figures below are based on official results A decrease of 7 MPs is shown for "Other Parties" because the New Zealand First Party of Winston Peters did not win an electorate seat or 5% of the party vote, and hence was not allocated any seats in the new Parliament.

  Summary of the 8 November 2008 New Zealand House of Representatives official election results

party		votes	% of votes		seats
			%	change	electorate	list	total	change
	National	1,053,398	44.93	+5.83	41	17	58	+10
	Labour	796,880	33.99	-7.11	21	22	43	-7
	Green	157,613	6.72	+1.42	0	9	9	+3
	ACT	85,496	3.65	+2.14	1	4	5	+3
	Māori	55,980	2.39	+0.27	5	0	5	+1
	Progressive	21,241	0.91	-0.25	1	0	1	0
	United Future	20,497	0.87	-1.80	1	0	1	-2
	other parties	153,461	6.55	+5.23	0	0	0	-7a
total		2,344,566	100.00		70	52	122	+1b
party informal votes		11,970c
disallowed special votes		19,517c
disallowed ordinary votes		427c
total votes cast		2,376,480
turnout			79.46d	-1.46

^a The loss of seven seats by 'other parties' shown here compared to the 2005 election result was mostly due to NZ First failing to clear the MMP threshold while two independents, Gordon Copeland and Taito Phillip Field, who had split from their parties since the 2005 election lost their seats.
^b The Māori Party gained two overhang seats (increasing parliament's size from 120 to 122 seats) by virtue of gaining more electorate seats than their party vote would have otherwise given them. This was one more overhang seat than in 2005.
^c
dThe turnout is given as a percentage of those enrolled to vote. In New Zealand, enrolment is compulsory, though voting is not.

Members of the 49th New Zealand Parliament

New Zealand National Party (58)

	Name	Electorate	Term in office	Portfolios & Responsibilities
	John Key	Helensville	2002 –	Prime Minister Minister of Tourism Minister in Charge of Ministerial Services Minister in Charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) Leader of the National Party
	Bill English	Clutha-Southland	1990 –	Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Finance Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Leader of the National Party
	Gerry Brownlee	Ilam	1996 –	Leader of the House Minister for Economic Development Minister of Energy and Resources Minister of Earthquake Recovery Associate Minister for the Rugby World Cup Deputy Chair of the Privileges Committee
	Simon Power	Rangitīkei	1999 –	Minister of Justice Minister for State Owned Enterprises Minister of Commerce Minister Responsible for the Law Commission Minister of Consumer Affairs Associate Minister of Finance Deputy Leader of the House
	Tony Ryall	Bay of Plenty	1990 –	Minister of Health Minister of State Services
	Nick Smith	Nelson	1990 –	Minister for the Environment Minister for Climate Change Issues Minister for ACC
	Judith Collins	Papakura	2002 –	Minister of Police Minister of Corrections Minister of Veterans’ Affairs
	Anne Tolley	East Coast	1999–2002; 2005 –	Minister of Education Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office
	Chris Finlayson		2005 –	Attorney-General Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
	David Carter		1994 byelection –	Minister of Agriculture Minister for Biosecurity Minister of Forestry
	Murray McCully	East Coast Bays	1987 –	Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister for Sport and Recreation Minister for the Rugby World Cup
	Tim Groser		2005 –	Minister of Trade Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues (International Negotiations)
	Wayne Mapp	North Shore	1996 –	Minister of Defence Minister of Research, Science and Technology Associate Minister for Economic Development Associate Minister for Tertiary Education
	Steven Joyce		2008 –	Minister of Transport Minister for Communications and Information Technology Minister for Tertiary Education Associate Minister of Finance Associate Minister for Infrastructure
	Georgina Te Heuheu		1996 –	Minister for Courts Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control Associate Minister of Maori Affairs
	Paula Bennett	Waitakere	2005 –	Minister for Social Development and Employment Minister of Youth Affairs
	Phil Heatley	Whangarei	1999 –	Minister of Fisheries Minister of Housing
	Jonathan Coleman	Northcote	2005 –	Minister of Immigration Minister of Broadcasting Associate Minister of Tourism Associate Minister of Health
	Kate Wilkinson		2005 –	Minister of Conservation Minister of Labour Minister for Food Safety Associate Minister of Immigration
	Hekia Parata		2008 –	Minister of Ethnic Affairs Minister of Women's Affairs Associate Minister of Energy Associate Minister of Community and Voluntary Sector Associate Minister of ACC
	Maurice Williamson	Pakuranga	1987 –	Minister for Building and Construction Minister of Customs Minister of Statistics Minister for Small Business Minister for Land Information
	Nathan Guy	Ōtaki	2005 –	Minister of Internal Affairs Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand Minister Responsible for the National Library Associate Minister of Justice Associate Minister of Transport
	Craig Foss	Tukituki	2005 –	Minister of Civil Defence Minister of Senior Citizens Minister of Racing Associate Minister for Local Government Associate Minister of Commerce
	Lockwood Smith	Rodney	1984 –	Speaker of the House Chair of the Business select committee Chair of the Officers of Parliament select committee Chair of the Standing Orders select committee
	Eric Roy	Invercargill	1993–2002; 2005 –	Assistant Speaker
	Chris Tremain	Napier	2005 –	Senior Government Whip Deputy Chair of the Finance and Expenditure select committee
	Jo Goodhew	Rangitata	2005 –	Junior Government Whip Former Chair of the Social Services select committee
	Lindsay Tisch	Waikato	1999 –	Deputy Speaker Deputy chair of the Officers of Parliament select committee
	Amy Adams	Selwyn	2008 –	Chairperson, Electoral Legislation Committee Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee
	Shane Ardern	Taranaki-King Country	1998 byelection –	Chair of the Primary Production select committee
	Paul Hutchison	Hunua	1999 –	Chair of the Health select committee
	Tau Henare		1993–1999; 2005 –	Chair of the Māori Affairs select committee Deputy Chair Auckland Governance Select Committee
	Sandra Goudie	Coromandel	2002 –	Chair of the Law and Order select committee
	Chris Auchinvole	West Coast-Tasman	2005 –	Chair of the Local Government and Environment select committee
	David Bennett	Hamilton East	2005 –	Chair of the Transport and Industrial Relations select committee
	Chester Borrows	Whanganui	2005 –	Chair of the Justice and Electoral select committee
	John Hayes	Wairarapa	2005 –	Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee
	Katrina Shanks		2007 –	Chair of the Social Services select committee
	Jackie Blue		2005 –	Deputy chair of the Transport and Industrial Relations select committee
	Jacqui Dean	Waitaki	2005 –	Deputy Chair of the Government Administration select committee Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee
	Colin King	Kaikōura	2005 –	Deputy Chair of the Primary Production select committee
	Nicky Wagner		2005 –	Deputy Chair of the Local Government and Environment select committee
	Simon Bridges	Tauranga	2008 –	Deputy Chair of the Justice and Electoral select committee
	Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga	Maungakiekie	2008 –	Deputy Chair of the Commerce select committee
	Todd McClay	Rotorua	2008 –	Deputy Chair of Social Services Select Committee
	Nikki Kaye	Auckland Central	2008 –	Deputy Chair Government Administration Select Committee
	Melissa Lee		2008 –
	Tim Macindoe	Hamilton West	2008 –
	Paul Quinn		2008 –
	Kanwal Singh Bakshi		2008 –
	Louise Upston	Taupō	2008 –
	Michael Woodhouse		2008 –
	Jonathan Young	New Plymouth	2008 –
	Aaron Gilmore		2008 –
	Cam Calder		June 2009–
	Jami-Lee Ross	Botany	February 2011–
members of the National caucus who resigned, retired or died during the term of the 49th Parliament
	Richard Worth		1999 – June 2009 (resigned)	succeeded by Cam Calder
	Pansy Wong	Botany	1996 – 2011 (resigned)	succeeded by Jami-Lee Ross
	John Carter	Northland	1987 – June 2011 (resigned)	Became High Commissioner to Cook Islands
	Allan Peachey	Tāmaki	2005 – 6 November 2011 (died)	Chair of the Education and Science select committee

New Zealand Labour Party (42)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Phil Goff	Mount Roskill	1981–1990; 1993 –	Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Labour Party
	Annette King	Rongotai	1984–1990; 1993 –	Deputy Leader of the Opposition Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
	Ross Robertson	Manukau East	1987 –	Assistant Speaker Deputy Chair of the Officers of Parliament select committee
	Rick Barker		1993 –	Senior Whip
	Steve Chadwick		1999 –	Junior Whip
	Lianne Dalziel	Christchurch East	1990 –	Chair of the Commerce select committee
	David Parker		2002 –	Chair of the Government Administration select committee
	Charles Chauvel		2006 –	Chair of the Regulations Review select committee Chair of the Privileges Committee
	Ruth Dyson	Port Hills	1993 –	Deputy Chair of the Health select committee
	Clayton Cosgrove	Waimakariri	1999 –	Deputy chair of the Law and Order select committee
	Trevor Mallard	Hutt South	1984–1990; 1993 –
	George Hawkins	Manurewa	1990 –
	Pete Hodgson	Dunedin North	1990 –
	Damien O'Connor		1993–2008; May 2009 -
	Nanaia Mahuta	Hauraki-Waikato	1996 –
	David Cunliffe	New Lynn	1999 –
	Parekura Horomia	Ikaroa-Rāwhiti	1999 –
	Lynne Pillay		1999 –
	Mita Ririnui		1999 –
	Ashraf Choudhary		2002 –
	Moana Mackey		2003 –
	Darien Fenton		2005 –
	Shane Jones		2005 –
	Sue Moroney		2005 –
	Maryan Street		2005 –
	William Sio	Mangere	April 2008 –
	Jacinda Ardern		2008 –
	Carol Beaumont		2008 –
	Brendon Burns	Christchurch Central	2008 –
	Clare Curran	Dunedin South	2008 –
	Kelvin Davis		2008 –
	Chris Hipkins	Rimutaka	2008 –
	Raymond Huo		2008 –
	Iain Lees-Galloway	Palmerston North	2008 –
	Stuart Nash		2008 –
	Rajen Prasad		2008 –
	Grant Robertson	Wellington Central	2008 –
	Carmel Sepuloni		2008 –
	Phil Twyford		2008 –
	David Shearer	Mount Albert	June 2009 –
	Kris Faafoi	Mana	November 2010 –
	Louisa Wall		April 2011 –
members of the Labour caucus who resigned or retired during the term of the 49th Parliament
	Helen Clark	Mount Albert	1981 – 17 April 2009	resigned to become head of the United Nations Development Program; replaced by David Shearer
	Michael Cullen		1981 – May 2009	replaced by Damien O'Connor
	Winnie Laban	Mana	1999– October 2010	Replaced by Kris Faafoi
	Darren Hughes		2002 – April 2011	replacement by Louisa Wall

Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand (9)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Metiria Turei		2002 –	Co-leader of the Green Party (May 2009–)
	Russel Norman		2008 –	Co-leader of the Green Party
	Kennedy Graham		2008 –	'Musterer' (party whip)
	Sue Kedgley		1999 –
	Keith Locke		1999 –
	Catherine Delahunty		2008 –
	Kevin Hague		2008 –
	David Clendon		2009 –
	Gareth Hughes		2010 –
members of the Greens caucus who retired during the term of the 49th Parliament
	Sue Bradford		1999–2009
	Jeanette Fitzsimons		1996–2010	Co-leader of the Green Party (1995–2009)

ACT New Zealand (5)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Rodney Hide	Epsom	1996 –	Minister of Local Government Minister for Regulatory Reform Associate Minister of Education
	John Boscawen		2008 –	Parliamentary Leader of the ACT Party
	Heather Roy		2002 –
	Roger Douglas		1969–1990; 2008 –
	Hilary Calvert		2010 –	Party Whip
members of the ACT caucus who resigned or retired during the term of the 49th Parliament
	David Garrett		2008–2010

Māori Party (4)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Tariana Turia	Te Tai Hauāuru	1996 –	Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Associate Minister of Health Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment Minister for Disability Issues Co-leader of the Māori Party
	Pita Sharples	Tāmaki Makaurau	2005 –	Minister of Maori Affairs Associate Minister of Education Associate Minister of Corrections Co-leader of the Māori Party
	Te Ururoa Flavell	Waiāriki	2005 –	Party whip
	Rahui Katene	Te Tai Tonga	2008 –
members of the Māori Party caucus who resigned or retired during the term of the 49th Parliament
	Hone Harawira	Te Tai Tokerau	2008–2011

United Future New Zealand (1)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Peter Dunne	Ōhariu	1984 –	Minister of Revenue Associate Minister of Health Deputy Chair of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review committee Deputy Chair Standing Orders Select Committee Parliamentary Leader of United Future Party

Jim Anderton's Progressive Party (1)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Jim Anderton	Wigram	1984 –	Parliamentary Leader of Progressive Party Former Shadow Minister of Agriculture

Mana Party (1)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Hone Harawira	Te Tai Tokerau	2011 –	*Note: Previously sat until 20 May 2011, resumed his seat on 2 August 2011

Independent (1)

	Name	Electorate	term in office	responsibilities
	Chris Carter	Te Atatū	1993–1996; 1999 –	Former Deputy chair of the Education and Science select committee Permanently Expelled from Labour Party Caucus and Party membership Note: did not retain membership of any select committee positions during expulsion

By-elections during 49th Parliament

There were a number of changes during the term of the 49th Parliament.

Electorate and by-election		Date	Incumbent		Cause	Winner
Mount Albert	2009	13 June		Helen Clark	Resignation; appointed to the UNDP		David Shearer
Mana	2010	20 November		Winnie Laban	Resignation		Kris Faafoi
Botany	2011	5 March		Pansy Wong	Resignation		Jami-Lee Ross
Te Tai Tokerau	2011	25 June		Hone Harawira	Resignation		Hone Harawira

Summary of changes during term

• Helen Clark resigned in April 2009 to take up a position as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. The resulting Mount Albert by-election was won by David Shearer on 13 June 2009.
• Michael Cullen resigned in April 2009 to become the deputy chairman of New Zealand Post. He was replaced by the next person on the Labour Party's list, Damien O'Connor.
• Richard Worth resigned in June 2009. He was replaced by the next person on the National Party's list, Cam Calder.
• Sue Bradford resigned in October 2009. She was replaced by the next person on the Green Party's list, David Clendon.
• Jeanette Fitzsimons resigned in February 2010. She was replaced by the next person on the Green Party's list, Gareth Hughes.
• Chris Carter expelled from Labour Party caucus amidst expenses scandal in 2010 and, as of October 2010, was expelled from the Labour Party meaning his seat is one as solely an Independent MP.
• David Garrett resigned from the ACT caucus in September 2010 and resigned from Parliament shortly after being replaced by Hilary Calvert.
• Winnie Laban resigned in October 2010 to become Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) at Victoria University of Wellington. The resulting Mana by-election was won by Kris Faafoi.
• Pansy Wong resigned in January 2011 following questions and a Speaker's investigation into her use of Ministerial travel privileges. Her portfolios were transferred to Hekia Parata who was raised to Cabinet to replace her. The resulting Botany by-election was won by Jami-Lee Ross.
• Hone Harawira resigned from the Māori Party in February 2011 following a recommendation by the party's Disciplinary and Disputes Committee that the party's National Council expel him. He resigned from Parliament as an Independent MP effective 21 May causing a by-election in Te Tai Tokerau. Harawira announced his intention to run as a candidate for the Mana Party. On 6 July 2011 the results of the official count of votes found Harawira won by a majority of 1117.
• Darren Hughes announced his intention to resign in March 2011 following an alleged incident involving him. Louisa Wall became the replacement for Hughes from the List for the remainder of the 49th Parliament.
• John Carter announced his resignation from politics in June 2011 in favour of a High Commissioner's post in the Cook Islands; he was replaced as a Minister by Craig Foss. As he resigned within six months of a general election, a by-election does not need to be held in his Northland seat.