NEW ZEALAND: parliamentary elections House of Representatives, 1990

NEW ZEALAND
Parliamentary Chamber: House of Representatives

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1990

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for NEW ZEALAND <<<

Chamber:

House of Representatives

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

27 October 1990

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.

Background and outcome of elections:

Following the previous (August 1987) general elections, the ruling Labour Party’s popularity fell as national economic problems (unemployment, budget deficit, high interest rates, foreign debt, etc.) mounted and controversy surrounded the Government’s policy of “privatisation” of State-owned enterprises. Prime Minister David Lange resigned on 8 August 1989 and was succeeded by Mr. Geoffrey Palmer. A year later, the latter resigned on 4 September and was in turn replaced by Mr. Michael Moore.
The election date had been announced on 9 August 1990. Campaign debate predictably focused on economic issues. Labour’s traditional rival, the conservative National Party, was led by Mr. Jim Bolger. Opinion polls foreshadowed a clear National success.
On polling day, the National Party swept to victory by a wide margin with a total of 67 seats - an increase of 27. Commentators attributed this outcome - which ended six years of Labour rule - as much to voter disenchantment with the outgoing Government as to endorsement of National’s stands on domestic and foreign policy, which differed little from those of Labour.
The new Government led by Mr. Bolger, with 20 Ministers in the Cabinet and five outside, took office on 2 November.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (27 October 1990): Elections results

Number of registered electors 2,202,157

Voters 1,877,155 (85.2%)

Blank or invalid ballot papers 53,023

Valid votes 1,824,092

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Votes %

National Party 872,358 47.8

Labour Party 640,915 35.1

New Labour Party 94,171 5.2

Green Party* 124,915 6.8

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total Gain/Loss

National Party 67 +28

Labour Party 29 -29

New Labour Party 1 0

Green Party* 0 -

Comments:

* New party.

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 81

Women: 16

Distribution of seats according to age:

Under 30 years 3

30-34 years 6

35-39 years 14

40-44 years 28

45-49 years 21

50-54 years 11

55-59 years 11

60 and over 3

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Trade and commerce 19

Farmers 15

Lawyers 14

Accountants 6

Teachers (primary and secondary school) 6

Trade unionists 5

Lecturers (university) 3

Doctors 3

Engineers 3

Research officers 3

Others 20

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for NEW ZEALAND <<<

Chamber:
	House of Representatives
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	27 October 1990
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	Following the previous (August 1987) general elections, the ruling Labour Party’s popularity fell as national economic problems (unemployment, budget deficit, high interest rates, foreign debt, etc.) mounted and controversy surrounded the Government’s policy of “privatisation” of State-owned enterprises. Prime Minister David Lange resigned on 8 August 1989 and was succeeded by Mr. Geoffrey Palmer. A year later, the latter resigned on 4 September and was in turn replaced by Mr. Michael Moore. The election date had been announced on 9 August 1990. Campaign debate predictably focused on economic issues. Labour’s traditional rival, the conservative National Party, was led by Mr. Jim Bolger. Opinion polls foreshadowed a clear National success. On polling day, the National Party swept to victory by a wide margin with a total of 67 seats - an increase of 27. Commentators attributed this outcome - which ended six years of Labour rule - as much to voter disenchantment with the outgoing Government as to endorsement of National’s stands on domestic and foreign policy, which differed little from those of Labour. The new Government led by Mr. Bolger, with 20 Ministers in the Cabinet and five outside, took office on 2 November.

Round no 1 (27 October 1990): Elections results
Number of registered electors	2,202,157
Voters	1,877,155 (85.2%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	53,023
Valid votes	1,824,092

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
National Party	872,358	47.8
Labour Party	640,915	35.1
New Labour Party	94,171	5.2
Green Party*	124,915	6.8

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
National Party	67	+28
Labour Party	29	-29
New Labour Party	1	0
Green Party*	0	-

Distribution of seats according to age:
Under 30 years	3
30-34 years	6
35-39 years	14
40-44 years	28
45-49 years	21
50-54 years	11
55-59 years	11
60 and over	3
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Trade and commerce	19
Farmers	15
Lawyers	14
Accountants	6
Teachers (primary and secondary school)	6
Trade unionists	5
Lecturers (university)	3
Doctors	3
Engineers	3
Research officers	3
Others	20