Significant events in 150 years of Parliament in New Zealand.
1852 New Zealand Constitution Act passed by Britain.
1853 first elections held for 37 members of House of Representatives.
1854 parliamentarians gather in Auckland for the opening of New Zealand's first Parliament on 24 May.
1856 'responsible' government achieved, in which governments formed from majority in House of Representatives.
1856 'Compact' agreed to, in which political and financial relationship between central and provincial governments resolved.
1858 Wellington Provincial Council chambers built, soon to become Parliament Buildings.
1865 seat of government and Parliament moves to Wellington.
1867 creation of 4 Maori seats and separate Maori voting; 74 MPs in total in House.
1870 secret ballot implemented for parliamentary elections.
1876 abolition of provinces, leaving central government as single legislative authority.
1879 universal male suffrage or voting introduced; parliamentary term reduced from five to three years.
1890 reduction in number of MPs from 95 to 74.
1893 women win the right to vote.
1899 General Assembly Library building constructed.
1902 number of MPs increased to 80.
1907 fire of 11 December destroys much of Parliament Buildings.
1912 construction of new Parliament House begins.
1918 Parliament moves into incomplete Parliament House.
1919 women eligible to become MPs.
1933 first woman, Elizabeth McCombs, elected to Parliament.
1936 radio broadcasting of Parliament commences.
1951 abolition of Legislative Council.
1969 number of MPs increased to 84; frequent upwards adjustment from now on due to population growth in North Island; voting age lowered to 20 years.
1974 voting age lowered to 18 years.
1979 government moves into Beehive.
1986 Royal Commission on electoral system recommends MMP.
1991 Parliament moves into temporary Bowen House chamber while buildings refurbished; returns to chamber in 1996.
1993 number of MPs reaches 99.
1996 MMP electoral system implemented; 120 MPs.
2004 Commemoration of 150 years of Parliament in New Zealand.
You can also view the original timeline from which this information is taken as a pdf document (71k).
Learn more about the campaign to get women the vote in New Zealand on nzhistory.net.nz.
Learn more about the history of the vote in New Zealand on the Electoral Commission's website.