New Zealand First is a centre-right political party in New Zealand founded in July 1993, following the March 19, 1993 resignation of its leader and founder, Winston Peters, from the then-governing National Party. It has formed governments with both major parties in New Zealand: first with the National Party in 1996, and then with the Labour Party in 2005.
The Party held seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives from its formation in 1993 until 2008, when it failed to gain enough party votes to retain representation. However, a resurgence in support in the 2011 election saw New Zealand First gain 6.59% of the total party vote, entitling it to eight MPs in the House.
The party sits in Opposition.
Read more about New Zealand First: Policies, Māori Vote, History, Electoral Results (1993–2011), Office-holders
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“Teasing is universal. Anthropologists have found the same fundamental patterns of teasing among New Zealand aborigine children and inner-city kids on the playgrounds of Philadelphia.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)