Electoral and Constitutional Change In New Zealand: An MMP Source Books

Voting systems are not usually the subject of editorials, letter-to-the-editor and petitions. MMP is the exception. Yet the move to a new electoral system for New Zealand was not entered into lightly or rapidly.

This book provides a documentary record of the process of electoral reform and its consequences. The years of debate and deliberation involved a Royal Commission, two referendums and the writing of a new Electoral Act. But there was much more, including court cases on the enrolment of Maori voters; the drawing up of new electorate boundaries for the whole country; the drafting of new selection rules by political parties for their electorate and party-list candidates.

This collection of documents traces the story of MMP from the Royal Commission's proposals through the break-up of the National-New Zealand First Coalition. The coalition agreements between Jim Bolger and Winston Peters, and between Jenny Shipley and the defectors from New Zealand First are both published in this volume. Other documents focus on the resignation of Alamein Kopu from the Alliance - and what, if anything should have been done about it - as well as the wider impact of MMP on New Zealand's politics and law-making - on Parliament, Cabinet and the public service.

Changes to the honours system, the role of the Governor-General and to New Zealand's highest court are among the broader constitutional topics in this reference source. The final section of the book brings together speeches and proposals envisaging a New Zealand republic in the new Millennium.

A companion to The New Zealand Politics Source Book (now in its third edition), this collection of primary materials will be invaluable for anyone interested in a serious answer to the most important question being asked about MMP - how did it happen?