Politics of New Zealand
The politics of New Zealand (Māori: tōrangapū o Aotearoa) function within a framework of an independent, unitary, parliamentary democracy. The system of government is based on the Westminster system, and the legal system is modelled on the common law of England. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy in which King Charles III is the sovereign and head of state, while his prime minister serves as the head of government.
The New Zealand Parliament holds legislative power and consists of the King and the House of Representatives. The King is represented by the governor-general when not present in the country himself. Members of Parliament (MPs) are each elected to the House of Representatives for a flexible term of office, with general elections held at least every three years using a mixed-member proportional (MMP) system. MPs usually belong to political parties. New Zealand has a multi-party system, though the dominant parties have historically been the Labour Party and the National Party (or its predecessors). Minority governments are common and typically dependent on confidence-and-supply agreements with other parties in the House of Representatives.
Executive power in New Zealand is based on the principle that while the King reigns, the Government rules.[1] Although an integral part of the process of government, the King and his governor-general remain politically neutral and are not personally involved in the everyday aspects of governing. The New Zealand Government exercises authority on behalf of and by the consent of the sovereign. Government is made up of ministers, who are selected from among MPs and accountable to Parliament. Most ministers are members of the Cabinet, which is the main decision-making body of the Government. It is headed by the prime minister, who is the most senior minister formally appointed by the governor-general. Other ministers are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the head of government.
According to the V-Dem Democracy Indices New Zealand was the sixth-most electoral democratic country in the world in 2023.[2] The country ranks highly for government transparency and had the second lowest perceived level of corruption in the world in 2022.[3]
The New Zealand judiciary has four basic levels of courts:[52]
The Supreme Court was established in 2004, under the Supreme Court Act 2003,[53] and replaced the Privy Council in London as New Zealand's court of last resort.[54] The High Court deals with serious criminal offences and civil matters, and hears appeals from subordinate courts. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Court on points of law.[52]
The chief justice, the head of the judiciary, presides over the Supreme Court, and is appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister.[55] As of 2019 the incumbent Chief Justice is Dame Helen Winkelmann.[56] All other superior court judges are appointed on the advice of the chief justice, the attorney-general, and the solicitor-general.[55][57] Judges and judicial officers are appointed non-politically and under strict rules regarding tenure to help maintain judicial independence from the executive government.[55] Judges are appointed according to their qualifications, personal qualities, and relevant experience.[57] A judge may not be removed from office except by the attorney-general upon an address of the House of Representatives for proved misbehaviour.[55]
New Zealand law has three principal sources: English common law, certain statutes of the United Kingdom Parliament enacted before 1947 (notably the Bill of Rights 1689), and statutes of the New Zealand Parliament.[58] In interpreting common law, the courts have endeavoured to preserve uniformity with common law as interpreted in the United Kingdom and related jurisdictions.[59]
An anti-nuclear activist hands out peace cranes in Wellington. New Zealand's foreign policy is often symbolised by its anti-nuclear stance.
Political change in New Zealand has been gradual and pragmatic, rather than revolutionary.[73] The nation's approach to governance has emphasised social welfare,[74] and multiculturalism,[75] which is based on immigration, social integration,[76] and suppression of far-right politics,[77] that has wide public and political support.[76][78] New Zealand is regarded as one of the most honest countries in the world, and it was ranked first in the world in 2017 for lowest perceived level of corruption by the organisation Transparency International.[79] Democracy and rule of law are founding political principles in New Zealand. Early European settlers believed that traditional British legal principles (including individual title to land) would be upheld in New Zealand.[80] The nation's history, such as the legacy of the British colonial rule evidenced in the Westminster system, continues to have an impact on political culture, despite New Zealand's political independence.[78] As at 2021, New Zealand is identified as a "full democracy" in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index.[81] The country rates highly for civic participation in the political process, with 82% voter turnout during recent elections, compared with the OECD average of 69%.[82]
Human rights remain a central focus in New Zealand politics, with a strong commitment to ensuring the protection and promotion of individual freedoms and equality.[83] However, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission asserts there is clear evidence that structural discrimination is a real and ongoing socioeconomic issue,[84] exemplified by Māori overrepresentation in the criminal justice system, comprising 45% of convicted individuals and 53% of those imprisoned.[85][86] Political redress for historical grievances is also ongoing ().
Since the 1970s, New Zealand has shown a more socially liberal outlook.[76] Beginning with the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1986,[76][87] successive governments have progressively increased the protection of LGBT rights, culminating in the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013.[88] In 2020, the Abortion Legislation Act, which fully decriminalised abortion in New Zealand, was supported by members across all parties in Parliament.[89]
The idea of serving as a moral example to the world has been an important element of New Zealand national identity. The opposition to apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s,[90] protests against French nuclear testing at Moruroa atoll in the 1970s, and popular support for New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy in the 1980s () are manifestations of this. From the 1990s New Zealand's anti-nuclear position has become a key element of government policy (irrespective of party) and of the country's "distinctive political identity".[76]