Cabinet of New Zealand
Cabinet meetings, chaired by the prime minister, occur once a week; in them, vital issues are discussed and government policy is formulated.
Though not established by any statute, Cabinet wields significant power within the New Zealand political system, with nearly all government bills it introduces in Parliament being enacted.
All ministers in Cabinet also serve as members of the Executive Council, the body tasked with advising the governor-general in the exercise of his or her formal constitutional functions.
Therefore, although operating outside of Cabinet directly, these ministers do not lack power and influence as they are still very much part of the decision making process.
[2][3] This convention carries sufficient weight for many official declarations and regulations to refer to Cabinet; a government department—the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet—is responsible for supporting it.
The convention of a cabinet meeting separately from the Executive Council began during Edward Stafford's first tenure as premier (1856–1861).
[7] The lack of formal legislation establishing Cabinet leaves the powers of its members only loosely defined.
It also has significant influence over law-making, and all draft government bills must be submitted to the Cabinet Legislation Committee before they can be introduced to the House.
[9] Convention regarding Cabinet's authority has considerable force, and generally proves strong enough to bind its participants.
On the other hand, a prime minister who tries to act against concerted opposition from their Cabinet risks losing the confidence of their party colleagues.
[14] Some political commentators, such as Professor Philip Joseph, have argued that it is a misnomer to deem the unanimity principle of collective responsibility a constitutional convention as such.
[15] He states that, unlike a convention, governments may waive, suspend or abandon political rules,[15] as has happened since the introduction of the mixed-member proportional system (MMP) in 1993 (see § Electoral reform).
One reform following the introduction of MMP allowed for junior parties in a coalition the ability to 'agree to disagree' with the majority in order to manage policy differences.
[21] Negotiations forming the new government took nearly two months however the ultimate result being that New Zealand First were to have five ministers inside Cabinet and four outside.
[23] Members of Cabinet meet on a regular basis, usually weekly on a Monday,[24] to discuss the most important issues of government policy.
[2] However, usually shortly after the weekly meeting the prime minister holds a press conference to discuss important national issues.
[27] The secretary has a dual role as the clerk of the Executive Council where they provide a channel of communication and liaison between the Cabinet and the governor-general.
[28][29] The Cabinet room, where the weekly meetings are normally held, and related offices are located at the top of the Beehive (the Executive Wing of Parliament Buildings).
[33] Currently, Winston Peters retains this style due to his appointment as a member of the Privy Council in 1998.
The official recommendation of the finance committee was much harder for his opponents to fight than his individual claims in Cabinet would be.
