Ministerial Demographics

The demographics of the full 28 person Ministry (including Under-Secretaries) is:

• 68% male, 32% female
• 82% European, 14% Maori, 4% Pasifika
• 11% 30s, 43% 40s, 43% 50s, 4% 60s
• 39% Auckland, 11% Wellington, 7% Christchurch, 18% Provincial, 25% Rural
• 75% North Island, 25% South Island
• 7% entered 1980s, 14% 1990s, 64% 2000s and 7% 2010s

The 25 National Ministers are:

• 64% male, 36% female
• 84% European, 12% Maori, 4% Pasifika
• 8% 30s, 48% 40s, 40% 50s, 4% 60s
• 40% Auckland, 8% Wellington, 8% Christchurch, 16% Provincial, 28% Rural
• 72% North Island, 28% South Island
• 4% entered 1980s, 16% 1990s, 72% 2000s and 8% 2010s

13 of the 25 National Ministers entered Parliament in 2008 or later.

The Cabinet is:

• 70% male, 30% female
• 80% European, 15% Maori, 5% Pasifika
• 10% 30s, 45% 40s, 40% 50s, 5% 60s
• 45% Auckland, 10% Wellington, 5% Christchurch, 20% Provincial, 20% Rural
• 75% North Island, 25% South Island
• 5% entered 1980s, 20% 1990s, 70% 2000s and 5% 2010s

The 11 Front Benchers are:

• 64% male, 36% female
• 73% European, 27% Maori
• 9% 30s, 36% 40s, 55% 50s,
• 36% Auckland, 18% Wellington, 9% Christchurch, 9% Provincial, 27% Rural
• 73% North Island, 27% South Island
• 27% entered 1990s, 27% between 2000 and 2007 and 45% in 2008

So almost half the front bench are relatively new MPs. That’s rejuvenation. Clark’s front bench in 2005 looked very similar to her 1999 one.

In 2008 the initial National front bench was only 22% female.