Spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand Spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand The Spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand is an unofficial title, the holder of which, by convention, is the host or hostess of Premier House, the official residence of the Prime Minister. An unpaid position that has no official responsibilities, the role has gained significance since the 1960s, with the Prime Minister's spouse acting as a key national figure on social issues and a prominent symbol of government. The Spouse also assists the Prime Minister in welcoming foreign dignitaries to Parliament House and the official residences. The 23rd Prime Minister,
Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister for the Civil Service invariable practice of the executive as forming a basis for legitimate expectation. The case also shows that national security remains a political issue and not a legal one; it is not to be determined by a court. It summarises the scope of judicial review. In "R (Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2)", heard at the House of Lords, one of the matters decided was whether or not the courts could subject Orders in Council to judicial review. The Lords unanimously agreed that although Orders in Council were defined as "primary legislation" in the Human