What Is 25th Parliament of New Zealand

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 25th Parliament of New Zealand sat from 1928 to 1931, following the 1928 general election. It was dominated by the Reform Party under Prime Minister Joseph Ward and later George Forbes, with significant opposition from Labour and United.

Key Facts

The 25th Parliament convened on December 11, 1928, after the general election held on November 13, 1928.
It lasted until November 27, 1931, making its term just under three years.
Reform Party leader Joseph Ward became Prime Minister but resigned due to ill health in May 1930.
George Forbes of the United Party took over as Prime Minister in 1930 and led a coalition government.
The Labour Party increased its representation to 19 seats, becoming a major opposition force.

Overview

The 25th Parliament of New Zealand was a pivotal legislative body that operated during a period of economic uncertainty and political realignment. Elected in November 1928, it convened on December 11 and functioned until its dissolution in November 1931, marking a transition between traditional party dominance and the rise of Labour.

This Parliament emerged in the aftermath of World War I and during the early stages of the Great Depression. Its composition reflected shifting voter sentiment, with the Labour Party gaining ground and coalition politics becoming increasingly necessary to maintain governance.

General Election Date: The election was held on November 13, 1928, determining the composition of the 25th Parliament.
Opening Date: Parliament officially convened on December 11, 1928, with formal proceedings beginning shortly after.
Number of MPs: The House of Representatives consisted of 80 Members of Parliament representing various electorates across New Zealand.
Reform Party: The Reform Party, led by Joseph Ward, won the most seats but fell short of a majority, securing 27 seats.
United Party: The United Party, a rebranded Liberal Party, won 27 seats and eventually formed a coalition with Labour to govern.

How It Works

The functioning of the 25th Parliament was shaped by coalition dynamics, leadership changes, and the onset of economic crisis. Unlike modern parliaments under MMP, this era operated under a first-past-the-post system, which often led to minority governments requiring cooperation across party lines.

Term: The 25th Parliament lasted from December 11, 1928, to November 27, 1931, a total of nearly three years. Its dissolution preceded the 1931 general election.
Prime Minister Joseph Ward: Ward became Prime Minister after the election but resigned in May 1930 due to deteriorating health, ending his second term in office.
George Forbes' Leadership: Forbes succeeded Ward as Prime Minister and led a coalition government between United and Labour to maintain stability.
Coalition Government: From 1930 onward, the United–Labour coalition governed, marking a significant shift in New Zealand’s political cooperation.
Legislative Output: This Parliament passed key public works and relief measures in response to rising unemployment and economic hardship.
Electoral System: Operating under the first-past-the-post system, the 25th Parliament reflected disproportionate seat-to-vote ratios, especially for Labour.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 25th Parliament to earlier and later legislatures highlights changes in party strength, leadership, and economic policy focus.

Parliament	Years Active	Major Parties	Prime Minister	Key Event
24th	1925–1928	Reform, Labour, Liberal	William Massey	Massey's final term; died in office
25th	1928–1931	Reform, United, Labour	Joseph Ward, George Forbes	Coalition government formed amid Depression
26th	1931–1935	United–Reform Coalition	George Forbes	Formal merger into National Party precursor
27th	1935–1938	Labour, United–Reform	Michael Joseph Savage	First Labour government elected
30th	1949–1951	National, Labour	Sidney Holland	First National Party government

The table illustrates how the 25th Parliament served as a bridge between the old party system and the modern two-party framework. It was during this term that Labour’s growing influence foreshadowed its 1935 victory, while coalition governance became a necessity due to fragmented results.

Why It Matters

The 25th Parliament played a crucial role in shaping New Zealand’s political trajectory during a time of national crisis. Its legacy lies in the normalization of cross-party cooperation and the emergence of Labour as a credible alternative to conservative rule.

Economic Policy Shifts: The Parliament responded to early Depression conditions with public works programs and limited relief measures.
Rise of Labour: Labour’s increase to 19 seats signaled growing working-class political engagement and urban support.
Coalition Precedent: The United–Labour coalition set a precedent for future multi-party governance in New Zealand.
Leadership Transition: The handover from Ward to Forbes highlighted the fragility of minority governments during health crises.
Electoral Reform Seeds: Disproportional results fueled later debates that eventually led to MMP adoption in 1996.
Historical Bridge: This Parliament connected the Liberal-Reform era with the modern Labour-National duopoly.

Ultimately, the 25th Parliament was more than a legislative session—it was a turning point in New Zealand’s democratic evolution, setting the stage for transformative social and economic policies in the decades that followed.