Fifth Government (1999–2008) and opposition New Zealand Labour Party
helen clark, labour prime minister 1999 2008 after 1999 election, coalition government of labour , alliance took power, helen clark becoming new zealand s second female prime minister. government, while undertaking number of reforms, not particularly radical when compared previous labour governments, , maintained high level of popularity. alliance, however, fell in popularity , split internally, latter factor being 1 of reasons cited clark calling 2002 election several months early, labour comfortably won. policies of fifth labour government include kiwisaver scheme, working families package, increasing minimum wage 5% year, interest-free student loans, creation of district health boards, introduction of number of tax credits, overhauling secondary school qualifications introducing ncea, , introduction of fourteen weeks’ parental leave. labour supported civil union act 2004, legalised civil unions same-sex , opposite-sex couples. in 2004, labour came under attack policies on foreshore ...