New Zealand politics operates as a parliamentary democracy, where the Parliament of New Zealand is the central legislative body. The country uses a mixed-member proportional representation system, allowing voters to select both local representatives and party lists. This system encourages a multi-party environment, with major parties including the Labour Party and the National Party. The head of state is the Governor-General, who represents the British monarch. The head of government is the Prime Minister, typically the leader of the majority party in Parliament. New Zealand is known for its progressive policies, including strong environmental protections and social welfare programs.