The Prime Minister of New Zealand is the head of government of New Zealand, and the leader of the Cabinet of New Zealand, with various powers and responsibilities defined by convention. This list includes individuals who held the titles of Colonial Secretary and Premier, the direct predecessors to the modern position of Prime Minister. The title of the office was formally changed to "Premier" in 1869, and then to "Prime Minister" in 1907 when New Zealand was granted the status of a Dominion in the British Empire.