new zealand first won the america's cup in 1995.
new zealand first won the america's cup in 1995.
when did new zealand first win the america's cup?
1995
at the 1993 election, national was narrowly able to secure its position in government due partly to a strongly recovering economy, after its large majority disappeared and the country faced an election night hung parliament—national one seat short of the required 50 seats to govern. with special votes counted in the following days, national won , allowing it to form a government but requiring the election of a speaker from the opposition benches (peter tapsell of the labour party) to hold a working majority in the house. at the same time as the election, however, a referendum took place which established the mmp electoral system for future use in new zealand general elections. this would have a significant impact on new zealand politics. some national party mps defected to a new grouping, united new zealand in mid-1995. and as a result of the new electoral mechanics, the new zealand first party, led by former national mp and former cabinet minister winston peters, held the balance of power after the 1996 election. after a prolonged period of negotiation lasting nearly two months, in which new zealand first played national and labour off against each other (both parties negotiated complete coalition agreements), new zealand first entered into a coalition with national.
new zealand national party
new zealand first was founded by winston peters, a former national cabinet minister who had been dismissed by jim bolger in 1991 after criticising party policy. prior to the election, he created the impression that he would not join a national-led government, but after months of negotiations with both national and labour, peters announced his party would enter into coalition with national. this angered many new zealand first supporters, who believed they were voting for new zealand first to help get rid of national. peters justified his decision on the basis of national winning the most votes, but it is suggested that national was willing to grant more policy concessions than labour. peters became deputy prime minister and was also made treasurer, a newly created position superior to but co-existing with that of finance minister. various other new zealand first mps were given ministerial or associate ministerial positions. ultimately the new government resulted in new zealand first being given five cabinet positions, with some outside cabinet as well. leader of the opposition helen clark spoke after announcement of the coalition which had been reached stating, "i think it is a disappointment to every new zealander who voted for a government of change on october 12. i think many will see it as a betrayal and most will find it very difficult to understand."
fourth national government of new zealand