Parliamentary Demographics 2014
I’ve done an initial analysis of the demographics of the 51st New Zealand Parliament. This is based on provisional results. I apologise if I have any ages wrong – most are based on public information, but for a few I’ve had to guess.
Gender
- 82 (-1) Males, 68%
- 39 (+1) Females, 32%
There is one more female MP than was elected in 2011, but two fewer than were in Parliament at the end of the 50th Parliament.
Compared to the end of the 50th Parliament, National has gained two female MPs, Labour lost two, Greens lost one, NZ First lost one.
Labour has only 37.5% of their caucus female – well under the 45% quota set in their constitution. They have a lower proportion of female MPs now than they did without a quota – it has dropped 3.8%.
National increased their female proportion from 25% to 28%.
Ethnicity
- 83 (-7) European, 69%
- 26 (+5) Maori, 21%
- 7 (+1) Pacific, 6%
- 5 (+1) Asian, 4%
Compared to their share of the adult population, Maori MPs are over represented by 8%, Pacific MPs are dead on, and Asian MPs under represented by 7%. It’s great to see a diverse Parliament, but hard to argue you need Maori seats to ensure Maori MPs are in Parliament.
The Maori Party have two Maori MPs, Greens three Maori MPs, Labour seven Maori MPs and National nine Maori MPs.
National have two Pacific MPs and Labour five Pacific MPs.
NZ First has one Asian MP and National has four Asian MPs. Labour have no Asian MPs.
Age
- 2 (nc) 20s, 2%
- 21 (+7) 30s, 17%
- 45 (+8) 40s, 37%
- 43 (-5) 50s, 36%
- 10 (-9) 60s, 8%
- 0 (-1) 70s, 1%
A fairly young Parliament.
Area
- 36 (-5) Auckland, 30%
- 17 (+1) Wellington, 14%
- 14 (nc) Christchurch, 12%
- 25 (+3) Provincial Cities, 21%
- 29 (+1) Rural, 24%
Islands
- 91 (+1) North Island, 75%
- 30 (-1) South Island, 25%
Sexuality
- 114 (nc) “Straight”, 94%
- 4 Gay (nc), 3%
- 3 Lesbian (nc), 2%
Year Entered
- Before 2000 18, 15%
- 2000 – 2007 16, 13%
- 2008+ 87, 72%
So 72% of MPs entered since John Key became PM.