The 22nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the New Zealand Parliament. Its composition was determined by the 1925 election, and it sat until the 1928 election.
Historical context The 22nd Parliament saw the Reform Party's Gordon Coates continue his rule as Prime Minister, in the continuing Reform Government.
The 22nd Parliament consisted of 80 representatives chosen by geographical electorates: 46 from North Island electorates, 30 from South Island electorates, and four Māori electorates. The Parliament was elected using the First Past the Post electoral voting system.
In 1926, the Reform candidate Sir James Gunson was expected to "romp home" in the Eden by-election. Reform had 55 seats. But with National (Liberal) having 11 seats plus two Liberal-leaning independents and Labour 12, Labour realised their chance to be the official Opposition, "threw their all" into the contest, and became the official Opposition; helped by Ellen Melville standing as Independent Reform. In 1927 a Labour farmer Lee Martin won the Raglan by-election against a weak Reform candidate plus Country Party, Liberal and Independent Reform candidates.
Parliamentary sessions The Parliament sat for three sessions:
Session from toFirst 16 Jun 1926 11 Sep 1926Second 23 Jun 1927 5 Dec 1927Third 28 Jun 1928 9 Oct 1928
Party standings Start of Parliament
PartyLeader(s)Seats at startReform PartyGordon Coates55Labour PartyHarry Holland12Liberal PartyGeorge Forbes11Independents2
End of Parliament PartyLeader(s)Seats at endReform PartyGordon Coates53Labour PartyHarry Holland14United PartySir Joseph Ward11Independents2
Initial composition of the 22nd Parliament
By-elections during 22nd Parliament There were a number of changes during the term of the 22nd Parliament.
Electorate and by-election Date Incumbent Cause Winner
Notes
References