In New Zealand, the speaker of the House of Representatives, commonly known as the speaker of the House, is the presiding officer and highest authority of the New Zealand House of Representatives. The individual who holds the position is elected by members of the House from among their number in the first session after each general election. They hold one of the highest-ranking offices in New Zealand. The current Speaker is Gerry Brownlee, who was elected on 5 December 2023.
Current Speaker Gerry Brownlee at his confirmation as Speaker with Governor-General Cindy Kiro
The Speaker, Ronald Algie (wearing a wig and robes), seated in the chair in the debating chamber, 1966
Speaker Sir Arthur Guinness, wearing the speaker's wig, 1911. The formal wig fell into disuse some decades later.
Image: Sir Charles Clifford, ca 1860
The prime minister of New Zealand is the head of government of New Zealand. The incumbent prime minister, Christopher Luxon, leader of the New Zealand National Party, took office on 27 November 2023.
Christopher Luxon reads the oath of allegiance, 27 November 2023
Pictured in 2017, the then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (foreground, left of centre) chairs her first meeting of Cabinet, wherein government policy is formulated.
Premier House in Wellington is the prime minister's residence.
Henry Sewell, regarded as New Zealand's first premier