|
|
|
|
Politics explained: |
|
|
|
|
|
The New Zealand Government is divided into three branches |
|
|
- The Legislature (Parliament)
- The Executive (the Government)
- The Judiciary (Judges)
|
|
|
The Legislature or, the Parliament, is the only body empowered to make law. It is the role of the Judiciary to interpret the law and articulate Parliament's intent with regard to the law.
It is the role of the Executive to administer the law through government departments etc, and enforce or uphold the law, through the Police.
The Cabinet, which heads the Executive, initiates legislation, which is then put before Parliament for passing into law.
The three functions of government approach allows for each branch to check the other from over extension of, or abuse of its powers. It is the most common approach to government amongst Western democracies.
|
|
|
The Legislature |
|
|
|
|
|
The principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty holds that Parliament is the only body empowered to make law. |
|
|
|
|
|
- Bills passed by parliament become law after being signed by the queen or governor general
- Parliament sits for three weeks a month, on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can go and observe Parliament in action on any day the House is sitting. Question Time at 2 o'clock in the afternoon is normally the most interesting time to visit.
- Caucus: Each parliamentary party has a number of MP's, which are called the party's 'caucus.' Each caucus meets during the week parliament is sitting and decides on tactics, issues and policy for the upcoming Parliamentary session
|
|
|
The Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
- Consists of all the Ministers of the Crown (e.g. Prime Minister and minister of finance) and many public service ministries (e.g. Ministry of Education and Department of Labour).
- Does the actual governing
- Ministers of the Crown decide the government's policies, the public service ministries carry out these policies
- Cabinet: Made up of ministers of the crown, meets weekly, decides policy
- The government of the day must enjoy the support of a majority of members of Parliament, in order to govern and make law. Ministers must also be able to account to Parliament for the performance of the government.
|
|
|
The Judiciary |
|
|
|
|
|
- The judiciary interprets and applies the laws that parliament makes.
- The body of decisions made by the courts have effect on future interpretations of the law. This is called case law, or common law. This system of law runs parallel to statutory law.
|
|
|
MMP Explained |
|
|
|
|
|
Elections are held every 3 years, next election in 2005, 120 MPs Each electorate has a roll (list of people who vote). By law you must enroll to vote, even if you decide not to vote |
|
|
Under MMP each person has 2 votes: |
|
|
|
|
|
Party vote: For the political party you want in parliament Electorate vote: For the candidate you want to represent your electorate in parliament |
|
|
In order to qualify for a share of seats in parliament, a party must have: |
|
|
|
|
|
- 5% of all party votes cast; or
- one general electorate seat
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government Links |
|
|
|
|
|
More elections information |
|
|
Guide to Parliament and Government |
|
|
|
|
