Constitution of New Zealand

King Charles III (July 2023)

New Zealand Parliament House in 2016

treatyofwaitangi

The Constitution of New Zealand is the sum of laws and principles that make up the body politic of the realm of New Zealand. Unlike many other nations, New Zealand does not have a single, written constitution. Instead, its constitutional framework consists of a combination of various statutes, treaties, conventions, judicial decisions, and other sources.

Sources of the Constitution

The Constitution of New Zealand is derived from several key sources:

• Constitution Act 1986: This Act is a fundamental part of New Zealand's constitution, consolidating and affirming the country's system of government.
• Treaty of Waitangi: Signed in 1840 between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs, this treaty is considered a foundational document.
• New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: This Act outlines the civil and political rights of New Zealand citizens.
• Electoral Act 1993: Governs the conduct of elections and the electoral system.
• Letters Patent: These are legal instruments issued by the monarch that establish the office of the Governor-General and outline their powers and duties.
• Common law: Judicial decisions and precedents also play a significant role in shaping the constitution.
• Constitutional conventions: Unwritten practices that are followed by the country's institutions.

Key Features

New Zealand's constitution is characterized by several key features:

• Parliamentary sovereignty: The New Zealand Parliament is the supreme legal authority, capable of enacting or repealing any law.
• Rule of law: All individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.
• Separation of powers: The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
• Responsible government: The executive branch derives its legitimacy from, and is accountable to, the legislature.

Branches of Government

The government of New Zealand is divided into three branches:

• Executive (government): Comprising the Governor-General of New Zealand, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and the Cabinet of New Zealand.
• Legislature: The New Zealand Parliament, which consists of the House of Representatives.
• Judiciary: The system of courts, including the Supreme Court of New Zealand, the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, and the High Court of New Zealand.

Amendments and Reforms

Amendments to the constitution can be made through ordinary legislative processes, but certain provisions require a higher threshold, such as a supermajority in Parliament or a national referendum.

Related Pages

• Politics of New Zealand
• Government of New Zealand
• Law of New Zealand
• History of New Zealand
• Māori people
• Governor-General of New Zealand
• Prime Minister of New Zealand
• New Zealand Parliament
• Supreme Court of New Zealand