Page 215

CEP template 2012

Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 213 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1931 (Statute of Westminster) Population: 4,506,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 1.5% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 7 Official languages: English, Maori Time: GMT plus 12–13 hrs Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZ$) Geography Area: 270,500 sq km Coastline: 15,130 km Capital: Wellington New Zealand’s Maori name is Aotearoa, meaning ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’. A well-watered, fertile and mountainous island country in the South Pacific, New Zealand consists of two large islands (North Island and South Island), Stewart Island and a number of offshore islands. It is somewhat isolated, being about 1,600 km east of Australia, the nearest land mass. Other neighbouring countries are Vanuatu and Tonga. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: New Zealand Parliament New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with Queen Elizabeth II as titular head of state, represented in the country by the Governor-General. There is a unicameral House of Representatives, directly elected for a three-year term, with universal suffrage for everyone over 18. Voting is not compulsory, although enrolment is. The number of MPs rose from 99 to 120 in 1996 under the new electoral system, when the country moved to a form of proportional representation known as MMP (mixed member proportional). Voters have an electorate vote and a party vote. The former is used to select an MP in 70 constituencies – including seven Maori constituencies – on a first-past-the-post basis, while the latter is used to select a party and determine the total number of seats for each party in parliament. All parties polling more than five per cent of this vote (or with at least one electorate seat) are entitled to further seats based on the proportion of the party votes cast. Normally, 50 party MPs are appointed, bringing the total number of members to 120, but this total can be increased when a party wins more electorate seats than it is entitled to according to the party vote. This happened for the first time in September 2005, when there was a single Maori Party ‘overhang’ MP. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General on the basis of party strength in the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister appoints a cabinet. The MMP system is designed to prevent domination by a majority group and to give voice to minorities, which are under-represented in Westminster (first-past-the-post) systems. It is also intended to encourage voting on the basis of policies rather than a party bloc. In the first election under MMP, the proportion of women MPs rose by half to about one-third of the total and the Maori community obtained representation to match its 13 per cent share in the population. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court Ministry: Justice The Supreme Court was established in 2004 as the final court of appeal, replacing the UK’s Privy Council. The High Court and District Court have jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters, the High Court for the most serious cases. In the more serious criminal cases, whether in the High Court or District Court, defendants have the right to a jury trial. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Court and from trials by jury in the District Court, and the High Court hears appeals from the lower courts and tribunals. New Zealand


CEP template 2012
To see the actual publication please follow the link above