The New Zealand Parliament is the legislative branch of the government in New Zealand. It is a unicameral parliament, consisting of the House of Representatives, which has the power to make laws, control finances, and hold the government to account.
Historical Context
- Establishment: The New Zealand Parliament was first established under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. This act provided for the creation of a General Assembly, which later evolved into the current parliamentary system.
- First Sitting: The first sitting of the New Zealand Parliament was in 1854.
- Transition to Unicameralism: Initially bicameral, with an upper house known as the Legislative Council, New Zealand transitioned to a unicameral system in 1951 when the Council was abolished.
Structure and Function
The New Zealand Parliament comprises:
- House of Representatives: Currently made up of 120 Members of Parliament (MPs), with the possibility of overhang seats if a party wins more electorate seats than its proportion of the party vote.
- Electoral System: New Zealand uses a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, introduced in 1996, where voters have two votes - one for a local electorate MP and another for a political party.
- Speaker: The Speaker presides over the House, maintaining order and ensuring parliamentary procedures are followed.
- Parliamentary Term: The term of Parliament is three years, after which a general election is held.
Parliamentary Roles
- Government: The party or coalition of parties with the majority forms the government, led by the Prime Minister.
- Opposition: The largest party not in government forms the Official Opposition, with its leader typically serving as the Leader of the Opposition.
- Select Committees: Committees are appointed to consider bills, scrutinize government policy, and conduct inquiries. They involve both government and opposition MPs.
Significant Legislation and Acts
- Electoral Act 1993: Established the MMP electoral system.
- Bill of Rights Act 1990: Affirms New Zealand's commitment to human rights and civil liberties.
Notable Features
- Parliamentary Buildings: The iconic Parliament House and the Beehive are significant architectural features in Wellington, the capital city.
- The Mace: A ceremonial object representing the authority of the House of Representatives.
- Question Time: A daily session where MPs can question Ministers about their portfolios.
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