<Ul> <Li> Politics of New Zealand </Li> <Li> Political parties </Li> <Li> Elections </Li> </Ul> <Li> Politics of New Zealand </Li> <P> The New Zealand National Party (Māori: Rōpū Nāhinara o Aotearoa), shortened to National (Nāhinara) or the Nats, is a centre - right, liberal - conservative political party in New Zealand . It is one of two major parties in contemporary New Zealand politics, alongside its historic rival, the New Zealand Labour Party . </P> <P> National is New Zealand's second - oldest extant political party, originating in 1936 with the merger of the two main conservative parties, Reform and United . They had previously formed a coalition against the growing labour movement . National has governed for five periods in the course of the 20th and 21st centuries--it has held office in New Zealand for more years than any other party . Historically, the party's policy platform shifted from moderate economic liberalism to increased emphasis on state interventionism under the Third National Government (1975 to 1984). Following the free - market reforms of the rival Labour Government in the 1980s, National has again advocated free enterprise, reduction of taxes, and individual rights . </P>

What does the nz national party stand for