elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002)
note: government coalition - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNP
New Caledonia:
chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC
(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Thierry
LATASTE (since 19 July 1999)
head of government: President of the Government Jean LEQUES (since 28 May 1999)
cabinet: Consultative Committee
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress
New Zealand:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since
4 April 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December
1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Jim ANDERTON (since 10 December 1999)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general