The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major portfolio in the Cabinet of New Zealand.

The position has had a number of different names throughout its history. The term "Minister of External Affairs" was once preferred, but was later changed to "Minister of Foreign Affairs". Since the absorption of responsibility for overseas trade, the official title is now "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade", although the last part is frequently omitted in normal speech.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for overseeing New Zealand's relations with foreign countries. The Minister is in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including New Zealand's diplomatic staff.

The present Minister is Phil Goff, who also serves as Minister of Justice. Pete Hodgson and Marian Hobbs serve as Associate Ministers, with Hobbs having special responsibility for foreign aid. Also linked to the portfolio are the separate roles of Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control (held by Hobbs) and Minister for Trade Negotiations (held by Jim Sutton).

Historically, it has been common for Prime Ministers to take on the role of Foreign Minister themselves, particularly if they have an interest in the field. The most recent Prime Minister to do this was Mike Moore, in 1990.

A list of former office-holders (regardless of title) is below, beginning in 1917.

Name PM served Took Office Left Office Party

William Massey (himself) 1917 1919 Reform

James Allen William Massey 1919 1920 Reform

William Massey, 2nd time (himself) 1920 1923 Reform

Francis Bell William Massey 1923 1925 Reform

William Nosworthy Gordon Coates 1926 1928 Reform

Joseph Ward (himself) 1928 1930 United (Liberal)

George William Forbes (himself) 1930 1935 United (Liberal)

Michael Joseph Savage (himself) 1935 1940 Labour

Frank Langstone Peter Fraser 1940 1942 Labour

Peter Fraser (himself) 1942 1949 Labour

Frederick Doidge Sidney Holland 1949 1951 National

Thomas Webb Sidney Holland 1951 1954 National

Thomas Macdonald Sidney Holland, Keith Holyoake 1954 1957 National

Walter Nash (himself) 1957 1960 Labour

Keith Holyoake (himself) 1960 1972 National

Jack Marshall (himself) 1972 1972 National

Norman Kirk (himself) 1972 1974 Labour

Bill Rowling (himself) 1974 1975 Labour

Brian Talboys Robert Muldoon 1975 1981 National

Warren Cooper Robert Muldoon 1981 1984 National

David Lange (himself) 1984 1987 Labour

Russell Marshall David Lange, Geoffrey Palmer 1987 1990 Labour

Mike Moore (himself) 1990 1990 Labour

Don McKinnon Jim Bolger, Jenny Shipley 1990 1999 National

Phil Goff Helen Clark 1999 (present) Labour

External Link