Liberal Government of New Zealand

The Liberal Government
The Liberal Government
Ministry of New Zealand
1891–1912
Date formed	24 January 1891
Date dissolved	10 July 1912
People and organisations
Monarch	Victoria; Edward VII; George V
Governor	The Earl of Onslow (1889–1892); The Earl of Glasgow (1892–1897); The Earl of Ranfurly (1897–1904); The Lord Plunket (1904–1910); The Lord Islington (1910–1912)
Premier; Prime Minister (from 1901)	John Ballance; Richard Seddon; William Hall-Jones; Joseph Ward; Thomas Mackenzie
Member party	Liberal Party
Opposition party	Conservatives; Reform Party
Opposition leader	John Bryce (1891); William Rolleston (1891–1893); William Russell (1894–1901); Vacant (1901–1903); William Massey (1903–1912);
History
Election(s)	1890 general election; 1893 general election; 1896 general election; 1899 general election; 1902 general election; 1905 general election; 1908 general election; 1911 general election;
Legislature term(s)	11th Parliament; 12th Parliament; 13th Parliament; 14th Parliament; 15th Parliament; 16th Parliament; 17th Parliament;
Predecessor	Continuous Ministry
Successor	Reform Government

The Liberal Government of New Zealand was the first responsible government in New Zealand politics organised along party lines. The government formed following the founding of the Liberal Party and took office on 24 January 1891, and governed New Zealand for over 21 years until 10 July 1912. To date, it is the longest-serving government in New Zealand's history. The government was also historically notable for enacting significant social and economic changes, such as the Old Age Pensions Act and women's suffrage. One historian described the policies of the government as "a revolution in the relationship between the government and the people".^[1]

Cite error: There are <ref group=n> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=n}} template (see the help page).

^ James Belich, quoted in Michael King The Penguin History of New Zealand, page 259

[belich_king-2] James Belich, quoted in Michael King The Penguin History of New Zealand, page 259

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