Prime Ministers’ Parliamentary Questions in New Zealand: Patterns of Questioning in Pre-Campaign Periods

Abstract

The article surveys the importance of the Question Time tradition generally and in the context of New Zealand, before devoting special attention to questions directed at prime ministers. Trends in pre-election questions are examined over seven elections, covering six New Zealand prime ministers and changes to the electoral system and parliamentary procedures.

• New Zealand Parliament
• parliamentary questions
• Prime Ministers
• election campaigns