Liberal Government of New Zealand

The government was also historically notable for enacting significant social and economic changes, such as the Old Age Pensions Act and women's suffrage.

New Zealand's enthusiastic involvement in the Boer War expressed both loyalty to 'mother Britain' and a sense of being a nation which could play its part on the world stage.

[citation needed] The formation of the Liberal Party came after the victory of liberal-leaning members of parliament, led by John Ballance, at the 1890 general election.

[37][38] The government lost its majority at the 1911 general election, but managed to stay in office with the support of independent MPs until the following year.

The government was eventually defeated in a vote of confidence on 10 July 1912, with the defection of some Liberals like John A. Millar.