who is the prime minister of new zealand now?
John Key
contradiction
 John Phillip Key ( born 9 August 1961 ) is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand , in office since 2008 . He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006 . 

contradiction
 Key attends church frequently with his children , but is an agnostic . He has stated that he does not believe in an afterlife , and sees religion as " doing the right thing " . Key 's wife , Bronagh ( née Dougan ) Key , is the daughter of Northern Irish emigrants of mixed religious descent . Key is the third prime minister or premier of New Zealand ( after Julius Vogel and Francis Bell ) with Jewish ancestry . 

entailment
 New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy , although its constitution is not codified . Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state . The Queen is represented by the Governor @-@ General , whom she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister . The Governor @-@ General can exercise the Crown 's prerogative powers , such as reviewing cases of injustice and making appointments of ministers , ambassadors and other key public officials , and in rare situations , the reserve powers ( e.g. the power to dissolve Parliament or refuse the Royal Assent of a bill into law ) . The powers of the Queen and the Governor @-@ General are limited by constitutional constraints and they cannot normally be exercised without the advice of Cabinet . 

neutral
 The politics of New Zealand are strongly influenced by British political culture . Although significant modifications have been made , New Zealand is governed by a democratic parliamentary framework comparable to the Westminster system , and retains Elizabeth II as the head of the monarchy of New Zealand . English is the dominant official language used in New Zealand . 

entailment
 New Zealand is a developed country with a market economy . New Zealand is a World Bank high @-@ income economy and ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance , such as health , education , economic freedom and quality of life . Nationally , legislative authority is vested in an elected , unicameral Parliament , while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet , led by the Prime Minister , who is currently John Key . Queen Elizabeth II is the country 's head of state and is represented by a Governor @-@ General . In addition , New Zealand is organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local government purposes . The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau ( a dependent territory ) ; the Cook Islands and Niue ( self @-@ governing states in free association with New Zealand ) ; and the Ross Dependency , which is New Zealand 's territorial claim in Antarctica . New Zealand is a member of the United Nations , Commonwealth of Nations , ANZUS , Organisation for Economic Co @-@ operation and Development , Pacific Islands Forum , and Asia @-@ Pacific Economic Cooperation . 
