Parliamentarians’ Perspectives on Proportional Representation: Electoral System Change in New Zealand

2003 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-38
Author(s):  
Ricarda Vandervorst
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
System Change ◽  
Proportional Representation

scholarly journals Electoral System Change, Generations, Competitiveness and Turnout in New Zealand, 1963–2005

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Vowles
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Electoral Competition ◽  
National Level ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
System Change ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lag Effects

In 1996, New Zealand changed its electoral system from single-member plurality (SMP) to a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. This article addresses the effects on turnout of electoral system change, generational differences and national and district-level competitiveness. Both theory and cross-sectional empirical evidence indicate that turnout should be higher after the change to MMP. Yet turnout has declined. Most of this turns out to be an effect of lag effects generated by longer-term trends of declining competition, and generational experiences. MMP has shifted the main focus of electoral competition from the district to the national level, with consequent changes in turnout distribution. Electoral boundary changes also have negative effects under MMP, and most MMP elections have taken place after an electoral redistribution.

scholarly journals Caretaker Government and the Evolution of Caretaker Conventions in New Zealand

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Boston ◽  
Stephen Levine ◽  
Elizabeth McLeay ◽  
Nigel S Roberts ◽  
Hannah Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
Proportional Representation ◽  
General Election ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
Parliamentary Democracies ◽  
Do So

Since the financial crisis immediately following the 1984 general election, various efforts have been made to clarify the role and responsibilities of caretaker governments in New Zealand. The need to do so was given added urgency as a result of the referendum in 1993 in favour of proportional representation. This article examines the recent evolution of New Zealand's caretaker conventions and assesses their application following the first MMP election in late 1996. The article begins with a brief description of caretaker conventions in other parliamentary democracies. It then considers the operation of the caretaker conventions in New Zealand under the previous first-past-the-post electoral system, and discusses the measures taken in the early-to-mid 1990s to clarify these conventions in preparation for MMP. Having evaluated the conduct of government during the lengthy interregnum in late 1996, the article concludes with an analysis of some of the continuing policy issues generated by caretaker governments and outlines possible ways of reducing the frequency and duration of caretaker periods.

Electoral System Changes and Voter Turnout: Reflections on New Zealand Local Elections

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-162
Author(s):  
Jacky Yaakov Zvulun
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Electoral Systems ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
Proportional Representation ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Single Transferable Vote ◽  
General Elections ◽  
The Impact

Voter turnout in local and general elections is a key element in measuring citizen participation. From 2004, New Zealand local elections were unique in that local councils had the choice of two different electoral systems: plurality majority and proportional representation. We have here the opportunity to study more about New Zealand local elections and changes in electoral systems. This article analyses the impact of the "Single Transferable Vote” electoral system in those councils that adopted it, comparing it to those councils which used "First Past the Post". This article explains how the STV electoral system has not increased voter turnout and was not the cause of low voter turnout in the 2004-2007 local elections. It might, however, offer voters a better way to choose their preferences.

scholarly journals Executive power 60 years on: has anything changed?

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harshan Kumarasingham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
House Of Representatives ◽  
Party System ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
Proportional Representation ◽  
Executive Power ◽  
Checks And Balances ◽  
Prime Ministers

When New Zealand changed its electoral system from first-past-the-post (FPP) to mixed member proportional representation (MMP), the move was heralded as the end of old politics. Prime ministers and their Cabinet would no longer be the ‘elected dictatorship’. The executive would now be constrained by greater checks and balances. The two-party system that had held New Zealand politics hostage for at least 60 years would end and instead a greater diversity of interests would be represented in the House of Representatives, a House that could better hold the executive to account. This was the aim, but has it happened? This article examines recent instances of executive actions that are akin to those taken in the FFP era that MMP has been unable to eliminate. It also offers suggestions for how to increase the accountability of the executive by strengthening the constitution and other branches and offices of state. 

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