All New Zealand elections

1996 New Zealand General Election

The first MMP election

12 October 1996 · The MMP era · 120 seats, 61 for a majority

The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was significant for being the first election to be held under the new mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse than previous elections.

Prime Minister before

Prime Minister (continued)

Jim Bolger

National—NZ First

Largest force

National

44 of 120 seats

Turnout

88.3%

The result

Share of the House of Representatives
NationalJim Bolger44+3
LabourHelen Clark37-4
NZ FirstWinston Peters17+12
AllianceJim Anderton13+11
ACTRichard Prebble8+8
United NZClive Matthewson1-6