Famous New Zealander Leaders

Jacinda Ardern is the current Prime Minister of New Zealand. In October 2017, at the age of 37, she became the world's youngest female head of government. Ardern was praised for the way she led her country after the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019 and handled the COVID 19 pandemic. She led her party to victory in 2020 general elections.

Born to immigrants in New Zealand, John Key became the third New Zealand prime minister of Jewish descent. Previously a foreign exchange professional, he has worked with Merrill Lynch. He wished to change his country’s flag by removing the Union Jack on it but voters chose against it.

Helen Clark is a New Zealand politician who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. She was only the second woman to hold the prime minister's office in New Zealand. An important politician, Helen Clark also served as the Minister of Health from 1989 to 1990 and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2008.   

Winston Peters is a New Zealand politician best known for his service as the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions; from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2017 to 2020. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2017 to 2020.

Bill English is a New Zealand former politician best known for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017. An influential politician, English also served as the Minister of Finance from 19 November 2008 to 12 December 2016. He also served as the leader of the National Party from 2016 until his resignation in 2018.

Graeme Hart is a New Zealand businessman whose net worth was estimated at 9.7 billion USD in 2022, making him the wealthiest person in the country. He is best known for buying and investing in undervalued and underperforming companies which can be turned around with cost-cutting and better cash management.

Jenny Shipley is a New Zealand retired politician who became the first female Prime Minister of the country in 1997. She served as the Prime Minister until 1999 and then served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1999 to 2001. An influential politician, Jenny Shipley also served as the Minister of Health from 1993 to 1996.

Les Mills is a New Zealand retired track and field athlete who represented his country at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games over a period of two decades; he competed in the discus throw and shot put events. Mills achieved his best result at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games where he won the gold medal in discus throw.

Robert Muldoon was a New Zealand politician remembered for serving as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. He also served as the Minister of Finance from 1967 to 1972 and again from 1975 to 1984. In 1984, Robert Muldoon became the second New Zealand Prime Minister to be honored with a knighthood while still in office.

Georgina Beyer is a New Zealand politician and former sex worker who became the first openly transgender mayor in the world when she was elected as the Mayor of Carterton in 1995. Georgina Beyer is also the first openly transgender person in the world to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg was a British-born New Zealand soldier who served as the Governor-General of New Zealand from 17 June 1946 to 15 August 1952. The recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross, Freyberg served in the army during World War I and World War II. He commanded the NZ Expeditionary Force during the Second World War.

David Lange was a New Zealand politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. A prominent politician, Lange also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1984 to 1987 and as the Minister of Education from 1987 to 1989. Lange is also remembered for making his country a nuclear-free zone.

Jerry Mateparae is a New Zealand former soldier best known for his service as the Governor-General of New Zealand from 31 August 2011 to 31 August 2016. He is only the second Māori person after Sir Paul Reeves to hold the Governor-General's office. From 2006 to 2011, Jerry Mateparae also served as the Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Jim Bolger is a New Zealand retired politician best known for serving as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2 November 1990 to 8 December 1997. He led the National Party to victory in 1990. An influential politician, Jim Bolger also served as the Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Labour.

Mike Moore was a New Zealand politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand for less than two months in 1990. Prior to his service as the Prime Minister, Moore served as the Minister of Tourism from 1984 to 1987 and as the Minister of Overseas Trade from 1984 to 1990.

Cindy Kiro is a New Zealand public health advocate, administrator, and academic. She is serving as the current Governor-General of New Zealand; she is the first Māori woman to hold the office. Cindy Kiro's services to education and child wellbeing have earned her prestigious awards in the New Zealand Royal Honours System.

Keith Holyoake was a New Zealand politician who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1957 and again from 12 December 1960 to 7 February 1972. He also served as the Governor-General of New Zealand from 26 October 1977 to 25 October 1980, becoming the first and only New Zealand politician till date to have held both positions. 

Michael Joseph Savage was a New Zealand politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 6 December 1935 to 27 March 1940. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1933 to 1935. Michael Joseph Savage is regarded as one of New Zealand's most revered and greatest prime ministers of all time.

George Grey was a British explorer, soldier, writer, and colonial administrator. He served as the 11th Premier of New Zealand from 1877 to 1879. He also served as the Governor of New Zealand from 1845 to 1854 and again from 1861 to 1868. George Grey's life and career inspired a miniseries titled The Governor.

Norman Kirk was a New Zealand politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 8 December 1972 until his demise on 31 August 1974. During his term as the Prime Minister, Norman Kirk also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Richard Seddon was a New Zealand politician best remembered for his service as the 15th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 27 April 1893 until his death on 10 June 1906. Seddon is the longest-serving premier in the history of New Zealand. He is considered one of the greatest, most widely known, and most influential politicians in New Zealand history.

Indian-born New Zealand politician Priyanca Radhakrishnan grew up in a family that had roots in left-wing Indian politics. After moving to New Zealand, she worked as a social worker till she joined the New Zealand Labour Party. She later scripted history by becoming the first Indian-origin minister of New Zealand.

A major force behind setting up the colonies of South Australia and New Zealand Edward, English economist Gibbon Wakefield lent his name to the colonizing plan called the Wakefield scheme. He formulated the Canadian colonial policy Durham Report. Interestingly, he had been convicted of abducting and marrying a 15-year-old girl.

Geoffrey Palmer is a New Zealand legal academic, lawyer, and former politician. He is best known for his service as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1989 to 1990. Geoffrey Palmer also served as the Minister of Justice from 1984 to 1989, during which he introduced many reforms in the country's constitutional and legal framework.

Anand Satyanand is a New Zealand former lawyer and judge. He is best known for his service as the Governor-General of New Zealand from 23 August 2006 to 23 August 2011. In 2019, Anand Satyanand started his four-year term as the Chancellor of the University of Waikato.

In late 2021, New Zealand politician Julie Anne Genter made headlines after she cycled her way to Auckland Hospital while in labor. Born in the US, she later studied in France and New Zealand. The Green Party MP has previously served as a minister for women.

Maori guerrilla leader Te Kooti is best remembered for launching the Ringatu religious movement. He once announced that he had received divine orders to establish a new church. Imprisoned for his activities, he later escaped with 168 prisoners. He was later pardoned but remained dedicated to the Ringatu cause.

British colonizer Henry Sewell initially followed in his father’s footsteps to become a solicitor and joined his father’s law firm. He later joined the Canterbury Association and participated in the colonization of New Zealand, becoming the country’s first premier. He had also been an attorney general and a minister of justice.

Initially a wholesale confectionery trader, New Zealand Labour Party politician Walter Nash later not only served as the prime minister of New Zealand but had also led several ministries, including those of finance and foreign affairs. He had also been New Zealand’s representative to the US.

New Zealand politician Peter Fraser not just led his country as its prime minister but is regarded as one of the greatest figures of the New Zealand Labour Party. He is remembered for his effective leadership during World War II and for his contribution to the creation of the United Nations.

New Zealand National Party leader Sidney Holland had served as the 25th prime minister of New Zealand. The son of politician Henry Holland, he rose to be the leader of the opposition in 1940. His achievements include the abolition of the Legislative Council. He was knighted, too.

New Zealand politician Bill Rowling served as his country’s 30th prime minister. Initially an economics lecturer, he later stepped into politics and eventually rose to be the leader of the Labour Party. He had also been New Zealand’s ambassador to the US. Rowling was also knighted for his achievements.

New Zealand National Party member Shane Reti has also had a 17-year career as a doctor and continued to work as one even during his time in the parliament. In 2021, he administered COVID-19 vaccinations. He has also served the New Zealand military. He supports medical marijuana and is against decriminalizing abortion.

New Zealand politician Joseph Ward was a major figure of both the Liberal and United parties. The Australian-born was initially a grain trader and stepped into local politics later. He not only served as the prime minister of New Zealand but also established the world’s first public health ministry.

Known as Gentleman Jack for his politeness, New Zealand National Party politician Jack Marshall served as his country’s prime minister and had also been its minister of overseas trade. Initially a qualified lawyer, too, he devoted himself to writing books and actively engaged in cultural and charitable activities.

New Zealand-born British-origin physician Arthur Porritt initially worked as a military surgeon. He later headed organizations such as the British Medical Association and also served as the governor-general of New Zealand. A talented sprinter, he also bagged an Olympic bronze medal and 3 World Student Games medals.

Te Rangi Hīroa was a New Zealand health administrator, doctor, military leader, anthropologist, politician, and museum director. An important member of Ngāti Mutunga, Te Rangi Hīroa played a major role in recruiting a Māori volunteer contingent during the First World War. In 1935, he was honored with the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.