Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of New Zealand is the political leader of the government and the country. Responsibilities of the prime minister include the selection and chairing of the Cabinet and the effective operation of executive government. The prime minister is the leader of the party with a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, where elections take place every three years. The prime minister is appointed, albeit ceremoniously, to the role by the governor-general. Customarily the prime minister is the minister in charge of the Security Intelligence Service and minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau, The prime minister may also hold other ministerial portfolios.