‘A very welcome thing’: New Zealand cabinet reaches gender parity for first time

Including ministers outside cabinet, there are now more women in country's executive than men

New Zealand has reached gender equity in its government cabinet for the first time in its history.

The country had elected its most diverse parliament ever under former prime minister Jacinda Ardern in 2020, significantly boosting numbers of female, Mori and LBGTQ+ members. Now, it has reached gender parity at the decision-making table of cabinet, the body of senior ministers responsible for most important policy, legislative and spending decisions.