<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Prime Minister of New Zealand (Māori: Te Pirimia o Aotearoa) is the head of government of New Zealand . The incumbent Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, took office on 26 October 2017 . </P> <P> The Prime Minister (commonly abbreviated to PM) ranks as the most senior government minister, and chairs cabinet meetings . He or she also has responsibility for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . The office of prime minister exists by a long - established convention, which originated in New Zealand's former colonial power, the then United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . The convention stipulates that the governor - general (who represents the monarch in New Zealand) must select as prime minister the person most likely to command the support, or confidence, of the House of Representatives . This individual is typically the leader of the political party that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber . </P>

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