List of prime ministers of New Zealand by education

The following is a list of prime ministers of New Zealand by education. The list includes all recognised heads of government, the title of which has included colonial secretary, premier, first minister and prime minister, since the establishment of a responsible government in New Zealand in 1856. James FitzGerald and Thomas Forsaith, who led unofficial ministries in 1854, are not included.

Historically it was not uncommon for New Zealand prime ministers to have little tertiary education, however university attendance has become more common since the 1970s. The most frequently attended university is Victoria University of Wellington with four alumni (Jack Marshall, Geoffrey Palmer, Bill English and Chris Hipkins) having held the office of prime minister, followed by the University of Canterbury with three alumni. However, if Jenny Shipley, who attended the Christchurch Teachers' College, now part of the University of Canterbury, is included, the total rises to four. The universities of Auckland, Cambridge, and Otago follow two alumni each. Only two prime ministers have held doctoral level education (Daniel Pollen and Geoffrey Palmer).

List of New Zealand prime ministers by education

Prime Minister Term(s) of office Secondary School University Professional training Henry Sewell 1856 Hyde Abbey School William Fox 18561861–18621869–18721873 Durham School Wadham College, Oxford (MA) Inns of Court: Inner Temple Edward Stafford 1856–18611865–18691872 Royal School Dungannon Trinity College Dublin (no degree) Alfred Domett 1862–1863 Stockwell Park House St John's College, Cambridge (no degree) Inns of Court: Middle Temple Frederick Whitaker 1863–18641882–1883 unknown Frederick Weld 1864–1865 Stonyhurst College University of Fribourg George Waterhouse 1872–1873 Kingswood School Julius Vogel 1873–18751876 University College School Royal School of Mines Daniel Pollen 1875–1876 unknown unknown (MD) Harry Atkinson 1876–18771883–188418841887–1891 George Grey 1877–1879 Royal Grammar School Royal Military College, Sandhurst John Hall 1879–1882 unknown Robert Stout 18841884–1887 Lerwick Academy University of Otago (no degree) John Ballance 1891–1893 Wilson's Academy Birmingham and Midland Institute Richard Seddon 1893–1906 Eccleston Hill Grammar School William Hall-Jones 1906 Joseph Ward 1906–19121928–1930 Thomas Mackenzie 1912 North Dunedin District School William Massey 1912–1925 unknown Francis Bell 1925 Auckland Grammar SchoolOtago Boys' High School St John's College, Cambridge (MA, mathematics) Gordon Coates 1925–1928 George Forbes 1930–1935 Christchurch Boys' High School Michael Joseph Savage 1935–1940 Peter Fraser 1940–1949 Sidney Holland 1949–1957 Christchurch West District High School Keith Holyoake 19571960–1972 Walter Nash 1957–1960 King Charles I Grammar School Jack Marshall 1972 Otago Boys' High SchoolWhangarei Boys' High School Victoria University College (LLB, LLM) Norman Kirk 1972–1974 Bill Rowling 1974–1975 Nelson College Canterbury University College (BA, economics) Christchurch College of Education Robert Muldoon 1975–1984 Mount Albert Grammar School David Lange 1984–1989 Otahuhu College University of Auckland (LLB, LLM) Geoffrey Palmer 1989–1990 Nelson College Victoria University of Wellington (BA, political science; LLB)University of Chicago Law School (JD) Mike Moore 1990 Bay of Islands CollegeDilworth School Jim Bolger 1990–1997 Opunake High School Jenny Shipley 1997–1999 Marlborough Girls' College Christchurch College of Education Helen Clark 1999–2008 Epsom Girls' Grammar School University of Auckland (BA, MA (Hons), political studies) John Key 2008–2016 Burnside High School University of Canterbury (BCom, accounting)Harvard University (no degree, management) Bill English 2016–2017 St Patrick's College, Silverstream University of Otago (BA, BCom)Victoria University of Wellington (BA (Hons), English literature) Jacinda Ardern 2017–2023 Morrinsville College University of Waikato (BCS, public relations and political science) Chris Hipkins 2023 Hutt Valley Memorial College Victoria University of Wellington (BA, politics and criminology) Christopher Luxon 2023–present Saint Kentigern CollegeHowick CollegeChristchurch Boys' High School University of Canterbury (BCom, MCom, business administration)

See also List of prime ministers of Australia by education List of prime ministers of Canada by academic degrees List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom by education List of presidents of the United States by education

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