Prime Minister of New Zealand

Christopher Luxon is the incumbent prime minister since 27 November 2023

The prime minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government. This job is given to the leader of the party or coalition with the most support in the Parliament of New Zealand. Since 2023, the prime minister has been Christopher Luxon of the National Party. He became Prime Minister after his party won the 2023 New Zealand general election

Responsibilities and powers

The prime minister holds the most senior post in the New Zealand Parliament. The prime minister is not able to give direct orders to other people in their party.

The prime minister can call for an election by asking the Governor-General to close Parliament

List of New Zealand prime ministers

Main article: List of prime ministers of New Zealand

Living former prime ministers

As of March 2026, there are seven living former New Zealand prime ministers, as seen below.

• Living former prime ministers of New Zealand
• 
  Sir Geoffrey Palmer
  served 1989–90
  born 1942 (age 83)
• 
  Dame Jenny Shipley
  served 1997–99
  born 1952 (age 74)
• 
  Helen Clark
  served 1999–2008
  born 1950 (age 76)
• 
  Sir John Key
  served 2008–2016
  born 1961 (age 64)
• 
  Bill English
  served 2016–2017
  born 1961 (age 64)
• 
  Jacinda Ardern
  served 2017–2023
  born 1980 (age 45)
• 
  Chris Hipkins
  served 2023
  born 1978 (age 47)

The most recent prime minister to die was Jim Bolger (served 1990–1997), on 15 October 2025, aged 90.

Other websites

• New Zealand Prime Minister's official website Archived 2002-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
• List of New Zealand Prime Ministers Archived 2007-04-02 at the Wayback Machine