Government Ministries

In New Zealand Ministers collectively direct the executive arm of the Government. All Ministers are members of the Executive Council of which some are selected by the prime minister to form the Cabinet. The appointment of ministers is the job of the governor-general, who does so on the advice of the prime minister. Ministers decide both the direction and the priorities for government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence or Ministry of Education, but are not involved in the day to day operations of such departments. Each ministry or department is headed by a chief executive who is the main point of contact between a minister and his or her department. Ministers may also be appointed to more than one portfolio, ministry or department.