New Zealand Parliament

The New Zealand Parliament (Māori: Pāremata Aotearoa) is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the monarch (represented by the governor-general) and the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was established in 1854 and is one of the oldest continuously functioning legislatures in the world. It was bicameral until the abolition of the New Zealand Legislative Council at the end of 1950. Parliament's seat, the capital of New Zealand, has been Wellington since 1865. It has met in its current building, Parliament House, since 1922.

The House of Representatives normally consists of 120 members of Parliament (MPs), though sometimes more due to overhang seats. There are 72 MPs elected directly in electorates while the remainder of seats are assigned to list MPs based on each party's share of the total party vote. Māori were represented in Parliament from 1867, and in 1893 women gained the vote. Although elections can be called early, every three years Parliament is dissolved and goes up for reelection.

Parliament is supreme over all other government institutions. The legislature is closely linked to the executive. The New Zealand Government comprises a prime minister (head of government) and other ministers; in accordance with the principle of responsible government, they are always selected from and accountable to the House of Representatives.

Neither the monarch (currently King Charles III) nor his governor-general participates in the legislative process, save for signifying the King's approval to a bill passed by the House, known as the granting of the royal assent, which is necessary for a bill to be enacted as law. The governor-general formally summons and dissolves Parliament—the latter in order to call a general election.

Terminology

In New Zealand, the word "parliament" can mean a few different things. Most importantly, it refers to the group of leaders called the legislature, which includes the monarch (represented by the governor-general) and the House of Representatives, which is the main focus of this article. Sometimes people use "parliament" to talk only about the House of Representatives. It can also describe each group of leaders elected during a general election—for example, the 1st Parliament met from 24 May 1854 to 15 September 1855, and the current Parliament, beginning on 5 December 2023, is the 54th. Finally, "Parliament" can refer to a place, such as the debating chamber where leaders meet, the entire Parliament House, or the Parliament Buildings where they gather.

History

The New Zealand Parliament follows the Westminster system from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This system began with the "Model Parliament" in 1295 and grew to limit the power of the monarchy, leading to a constitutional monarchy. The Bill of Rights 1688 helped set up regular elections and gave parliament control over taxes and money.

New Zealand became a Crown colony in 1840, but settlers wanted more control. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 created the first New Zealand Parliament in 1854. It started with two parts: the House of Representatives, whose members were elected, and the Legislative Council, whose members were chosen by the governor.

Over time, the Legislative Council was not very active, and in 1951 it was removed, leaving only one house in Parliament. Today, the New Zealand Parliament has full control over its own laws and how it is organized.

Composition

The New Zealand Parliament started in 1852 with the governor, a Legislative Council, and the House of Representatives. The Legislative Council was removed at the end of 1950. Today, the Parliament includes the monarch of New Zealand, represented by the governor-general of New Zealand, and the House of Representatives.

The monarch, currently King Charles III, is represented by the governor-general. The monarch’s role is to give royal assent to bills passed by the House of Representatives. Members of Parliament must promise loyalty to the monarch before they can start working.

The House of Representatives is the only part of Parliament now. It was set up as a lower house and has been the sole house since 1951. Elections use a mixed system to choose 120 members who serve for three years. These members work to make laws and watch over the government. They also form special groups to focus on specific topics.

The Legislative Council used to be part of Parliament until 1950. It was created in 1840 and later became the upper house. Its job was to check and change bills from the House of Representatives. Members were chosen by the governor, usually following the prime minister’s advice. The Council was eventually removed because it was not affecting law-making much. Since then, Parliament has not had an upper house, though sometimes people suggest creating one. The old Legislative Council Chamber is still used when Parliament opens, following British tradition.

Main article: New Zealand House of Representatives

Main article: New Zealand Legislative Council

Parliamentary sovereignty

The New Zealand Parliament has full power to make laws about any topic. There are no special rules or higher laws that can stop it from making these laws. Even important laws, like the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, do not have the power to limit what the Parliament can do.

Some rules about elections are very hard to change. For example, rules about how long a government serves, who can vote, and how votes are counted need either most members of Parliament to agree or a vote from the public in a referendum. However, these special rules can still be changed by a simple vote from members of Parliament if they decide to do so. The House of Representatives also has the power to set its own rules for how it works.

Term of Parliament

Further information: Elections in New Zealand § Timing of elections

In New Zealand, a term of Parliament can last up to three years. The Constitution Act 1986 says that the governor-general is in charge of ending, or dissolving, Parliament. This is done through a special announcement called a royal proclamation. After this, an election is called, and once it is finished, the governor-general tells the new MPs to meet for the first time.

At the start of each new Parliament, there is a special event called the Opening of Parliament. During this, the governor-general reads a speech called the Speech from the Throne. This speech explains why Parliament has met and what the government plans to do. Sometimes, the monarch themselves have opened Parliament and given this speech, like when Queen Elizabeth II did it in 1954, 1986, and 1990.

MPs are called to these events by the usher of the Black Rod. This person knocks on the doors of the House of Representatives, which are shut, to show that MPs have the right to keep anyone out, even the monarch.

Passage of legislation

Before a law can be made, it starts as a draft called a bill in Parliament. Most bills come from the government, and it is very rare for these to fail. Sometimes individual members of Parliament can introduce their own bills, called members' bills; these are often suggested by groups that are not part of the main political parties. All bills need to go through three readings in the House of Representatives before becoming a law, also known as an act of Parliament (see lists of acts of the New Zealand Parliament).

House and committees

Further information: New Zealand House of Representatives § Passage of legislation

Each bill has several steps to become a law. The first step is the first reading, where members discuss the idea of the bill. Then, it goes to a group called a select committee, where people can share their thoughts about the bill and suggest changes. After this, there is a second reading where members talk about the bill again and the changes suggested by the committee. Next comes the committee of the whole house, where members look at each part of the bill and make more changes if needed. Finally, in the third reading, members discuss the final version of the bill. If most members vote yes, the bill becomes a law. If they vote no at any step, the bill stops and does not become a law.

Royal assent

If a bill passes its third reading, the clerk of the House of Representatives gives it to the governor-general, who usually approves it right away. The governor-general has the power to say no to a bill, but this is very rare and would only happen in special situations. Before a bill is introduced, the attorney-general checks if there are any big problems with it.

List of parliaments

Further information: List of parliaments of New Zealand

Parliament is now in its 54th term.