The Minister of Education is a minister

Minister (government)

A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....

 in the government of New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 with responsibility for the country's schools, and is in charge of the Ministry of Education

Ministry of Education (New Zealand)

The Ministry of Education , is the primary state sector organisation of New Zealand responsible for New Zealand's education system...

.

The present Minister is Anne Tolley

Anne Tolley

Anne Merrilyn Tolley is a politician representing the New Zealand National Party. With the formation of the Fifth National Government in late 2008, she became the Minister of Education, the first woman ever to assume the role.Tolley is the Member for the East Coast electorate, representing...

, a member of the National Party

New Zealand National Party

The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...

.

History

The first minister was appointed in 1878, shortly after the abolition of the Provinces

Provinces of New Zealand

The Provinces of New Zealand existed from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. They were replaced by counties, which were themselves replaced by districts.Following abolition, the provinces became known as provincial districts...

 allowed the central government to assume responsibility for education. It has existed without major interruption since then, although responsibility for tertiary education

Tertiary education

Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...

 has been split into a separate role, titled Minister of Tertiary Education.

List of Education Ministers

	Name	PM Served	Took Office	Left Office	Party
1	John Ballance John Ballance John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:...	Grey George Grey George Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...	12 January 1878	1 July 1879	None
2	William Rolleston William Rolleston William Rolleston was a New Zealand politician, public administrator, educationalist and Canterbury provincial superintendent.-Early life:...	Hall John Hall (New Zealand) Sir John Hall was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, and later became the 12th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was also Mayor of Christchurch.-Migration to New Zealand:...	8 October 1879	15 December 1880	None
3	Thomas Dick Thomas Dick (New Zealand) Thomas Dick was a 19th century New Zealand politician. He was Superintendent of Otago Province in 1865, then Minister of Justice from 1881 to 1882, and Minister of Education from 1881 to 1884.-Early life:...	Hall John Hall (New Zealand) Sir John Hall was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, and later became the 12th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was also Mayor of Christchurch.-Migration to New Zealand:... , Whitaker Frederick Whitaker Sir Frederick Whitaker, KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the fifth Premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.-Early life:... , Atkinson Harry Atkinson Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...	15 December 1880	16 August 1884	None
4	William Montgomery William Montgomery (New Zealand) The Hon. William John Alexander Montgomery was a New Zealand politician from Little River on Banks Peninsula, and a merchant. Born in London, he lived in a number of places and pursued a number of occupations before settling in Christchurch, New Zealand.-Early life:Montgomery was from an old...	Stout Robert Stout Sir Robert Stout, KCMG was the 13th Premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices...	16 August 1884	28 August 1884	None
5	Robert Stout Robert Stout Sir Robert Stout, KCMG was the 13th Premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices...	(himself)	8 January 1885	8 October 1887	None
6	George Fisher George Fisher (New Zealand) George Fisher was a four-time Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand from 1882 to 1885, and in 1896. He represented various Wellington electorates in Parliament for a total of 18 years...	Atkinson Harry Atkinson Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...	8 October 1887	8 April 1889	None
7	Harry Atkinson Harry Atkinson Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...	(himself)	8 April 1889	9 July 1889	None
8	Thomas William Hislop Thomas William Hislop Thomas William Hislop was the Mayor of Wellington from 1905 to 1908, and had represented two South Island electorates in the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life:... , 1st time	Atkinson Harry Atkinson Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...	9 July 1889	10 September 1889	None
	Thomas William Hislop Thomas William Hislop Thomas William Hislop was the Mayor of Wellington from 1905 to 1908, and had represented two South Island electorates in the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life:... , 2nd time	Atkinson Harry Atkinson Henry Albert "Harry" Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years...	17 October 1889	24 January 1891	None
9	William Pember Reeves William Pember Reeves The Hon. William Pember Reeves was a New Zealand statesman, historian and poet, who promoted social reform.-Biography:...	Ballance John Ballance John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:... , Seddon Richard Seddon Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....	24 January 1891	10 January 1896	Liberal
10	William Walker William Campbell Walker William Campbell Walker was a 19th century New Zealand politician.He represented the Canterbury electorate of Ashburton in Parliament from 1884 to 1890, when he was defeated. He was a cabinet minister...	Seddon Richard Seddon Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....	11 March 1896	20 June 1903	Liberal
11	Richard Seddon Richard Seddon Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....	(himself)	22 June 1903	10 June 1906	Liberal
12	William Hall-Jones William Hall-Jones Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward....	(himself)	21 June 1906	6 August 1906	Liberal
13	George Fowlds George Fowlds Sir George Matthew Fowlds CBE was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party.-Member of Parliament:George Fowlds represented the City of Auckland electorate from 1899 to 1902, and then the Grey Lynn electorate from 1902 to 1911....	Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...	6 August 1906	4 September 1911	Liberal
14	Josiah Hanan Josiah Hanan Josiah Alfred Hanan was a New Zealand politician, cabinet minister, and legislative councillor. He also served as Mayor of Invercargill, and as Chancellor of the University of New Zealand.-Early life:... , 1st time	Mackenzie Thomas Mackenzie Sir Thomas Noble Mackenzie GCMG was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London....	28 March 1912	10 July 1912	Liberal
15	James Allen James Allen (New Zealand) Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen...	Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...	10 July 1912	12 August 1915	Reform
	Josiah Hanan Josiah Hanan Josiah Alfred Hanan was a New Zealand politician, cabinet minister, and legislative councillor. He also served as Mayor of Invercargill, and as Chancellor of the University of New Zealand.-Early life:... , 2nd time	Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...	12 August 1915	23 August 1919	Liberal
16	Francis Bell	Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...	4 September 1919	3 April 1920	Reform
17	Christopher Parr	Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... , Francis Bell, Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from...	3 April 1920	24 April 1926	Reform
18	Robert Wright Robert Alexander Wright Robert Alexander Wright was the Mayor of Wellington from 1921 to 1925, and a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Wellington South electorate in Parliament from 1908 to 1911 when he was defeated, then the Wellington Suburbs and Country electorate from 1914 to 1919 and the...	Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from...	24 May 1926	10 December 1928	Reform
19	Harry Atmore Harry Atmore Harry Atmore was a New Zealand Independent Member of Parliament for Nelson in the South Island.Harry Atmore held the Nelson seat as an Independent for a total of thirty years from 1911 to 1914 and then from 1919 to his death in 1946...	Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... , Forbes George William Forbes George William Forbes served as the 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Few expected him to become Prime Minister when he did, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years...	10 December 1928	22 September 1931	United
20	Robert Masters Robert Masters Robert Masters was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party, and a cabinet minister.He was Minister of Education in the Liberal-Reform coalition Government of New Zealand from 1931 to 1934 as a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council, after being a Minister without Portfolio from 1930...	Forbes George William Forbes George William Forbes served as the 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Few expected him to become Prime Minister when he did, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years...	22 September 1931	22 November 1934	United
21	Sydney Smith Sydney George Smith Sydney George Smith was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party and then the National Party, and a cabinet minister.He was Minister of Education in the Liberal-Reform coalition Government of New Zealand from 1934 to 1935, and was also Minister of Labour.He represented the Taranaki...	Forbes George William Forbes George William Forbes served as the 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Few expected him to become Prime Minister when he did, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years...	22 November 1934	6 December 1935	United
22	Peter Fraser	Savage Michael Joseph Savage Michael Joseph Savage was the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand.- Early life :Born in Tatong, Victoria, Australia, Savage first became involved in politics while working in that state. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1907. There he worked in a variety of jobs, as a miner, flax-cutter and... , (himself)	6 December 1935	30 April 1940	Labour
23	Rex Mason Rex Mason Henry Greathead Rex Mason was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, and Minister of Native Affairs, and had a significant influence on the direction of the Labour Party...	Fraser	30 April 1940	18 October 1947	Labour
24	Terry McCombs	Fraser	18 October 1947	13 December 1949	Labour
25	Ronald Algie Ronald Algie Sir Ronald Macmillan Algie was a New Zealand politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for six years in the 1960s. He described himself as "a Tory in the old tradition".-Early life:...	Holland Sidney Holland Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:... , Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...	13 December 1949	12 December 1957	National
26	Philip Skoglund Philip Skoglund Philip Oscar Selwyn Skoglund was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, and a cabinet minister.He represented the Palmerston North electorate from 1954 to 1960 when he was defeated by William Henry Brown....	Nash Walter Nash Sir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH served as the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance...	12 December 1957	12 December 1960	Labour
27	William Tennent William Blair Tennent William Blair Tennent CBE , known as Blair Tennent, was a New Zealand politician of the National Party and a cabinet minister.-Early life:...	Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...	12 December 1960	20 December 1963	National
28	Arthur Kinsella Arthur Kinsella Arthur Ellis Kinsella QSO was a New Zealand politician of the National Party, and was a cabinet minister.Kinsella was Minister of Broadcasting from 1960 to 1963 in the Second National Government, overseeing the introduction of Television to New Zealand...	Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...	20 December 1963	22 December 1969	National
29	Brian Talboys Brian Talboys Sir Brian Edward Talboys, CH, KCB, AC, is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister for the first two terms of Robert Muldoon's premiership. If the abortive "Colonels' Coup" against Muldoon had been successful, Talboys would have become Prime Minister himself.-Early...	Holyoake Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...	22 December 1969	9 February 1972	National
30	Herbert Pickering Herbert Pickering Herbert Elmer Lorraine "Lorrie" Pickering, QSO was a New Zealand politician of the National Party, and was a cabinet minister.He was Minister of Education in the Second National Government in 1972....	Marshall Jack Marshall Sir John Ross Marshall, GBE, CH, , generally known as Jack Marshall, was a New Zealand politician. After spending twelve years as Deputy Prime Minister, he served as the 28th Prime Minister for most of 1972....	9 February 1972	8 December 1972	National
31	Phil Amos Phil Amos Phillip Albert Amos was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was the Member of Parliament for Manurewa from 1963 to 1975, when he was defeated....	Kirk Norman Kirk Norman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand... , Rowling Bill Rowling Sir Wallace Edward Rowling, KCMG , often known as Bill Rowling, was the 30th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was in office for just over a year, having been appointed Prime Minister following the death of the highly popular Norman Kirk...	8 December 1972	12 December 1975	Labour
32	Les Gandar Les Gandar Leslie Walter Gandar was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.He represented the seat of Manawatu from 1966 to 1972, then Ruahine from 1972 to 1978. He was defeated in 1978 for the new seat of Rangitikei by Bruce Beetham. Beetham had won the seat in the Rangitikei by-election, held...	Muldoon Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...	12 December 1975	13 December 1978	National
33	Merv Wellington Merv Wellington Mervyn Langlois "Merv" Wellington, QSO was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.-Member of Parliament:...	Muldoon Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...	13 December 1978	26 July 1984	National
34	Russell Marshall Russell Marshall Cedric Russell Marshall, CNZM was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, who had been a Methodist minister from 1960 to 1972, and school teacher 1955–56 and 1972.-Member of Parliament:...	Lange David Lange David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a...	26 July 1984	24 August 1987	Labour
35	David Lange David Lange David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a...	(himself)	24 August 1987	8 August 1989	Labour
36	Geoffrey Palmer	(himself)	8 August 1989	14 August 1989	Labour
37	Phil Goff Phil Goff Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and...	Palmer	14 August 1989	2 November 1990	Labour
38	Lockwood Smith Lockwood Smith Alexander Lockwood Smith is a New Zealand politician, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives. Smith is a member of the New Zealand National Party, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 1984...	Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics...	2 November 1990	1 March 1996	National
39	Wyatt Creech Wyatt Creech Wyatt Beetham Creech, CNZM is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in Jenny Shipley's National Party government from August 1998 to December 1999.-Early life:...	Bolger Jim Bolger James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics... , Shipley Jenny Shipley Dame Jenny Shipley, DNZM , served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999, the first woman to hold this office and the first, and to date only, woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.-Early life:Shipley was born as Jennifer...	1 March 1996	31 January 1999	National
40	Nick Smith Nick Smith (New Zealand) Nicolas Rex "Nick" Smith is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand Parliament as a National Party MP...	Shipley Jenny Shipley Dame Jenny Shipley, DNZM , served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999, the first woman to hold this office and the first, and to date only, woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.-Early life:Shipley was born as Jennifer...	31 January 1999	10 December 1999	National
41	Trevor Mallard Trevor Mallard Trevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early...	Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...	10 December 1999	19 October 2005	Labour
42	Steve Maharey Steve Maharey Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...	Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...	19 October 2005	31 October 2007	Labour
43	Chris Carter Chris Carter (politician) Christopher Joseph Carter was an independent Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Labour Party until his expulsion. Carter was a senior Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, serving lastly as Minister of Education, Minister...	Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...	31 October 2007	19 November 2008	Labour
44	Anne Tolley Anne Tolley Anne Merrilyn Tolley is a politician representing the New Zealand National Party. With the formation of the Fifth National Government in late 2008, she became the Minister of Education, the first woman ever to assume the role.Tolley is the Member for the East Coast electorate, representing...	Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....	19 November 2008	Incumbent	National

External links

• New Zealand Ministry of Education