Info
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Electors can vote on referendums in New Zealand. Citizen-initiated referendums are not binding; government-initiated referendums can be binding or indicative.
Source: Electoral Referendum Act 1993:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0086/latest/DLM307166.html?search=ts_act_electoral_resel (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 2010:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0139/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act_electoral+referendum+act+2010_resel&p=1 (2017);
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-is-a-referendum/
Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM317193.html?search=ts_act_citizens_resel (2017);
Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0048/latest/DLM73881.html?search=ts_act_postal_resel (2017)
Verified: 2024/07/12
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Citizens Initiated Referendums and Government Initiated Referendums. Government Initiated Referendums may be binding or indicative.
Source: Electoral Referendum Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0086/latest/DLM307166.html?search=ts_act_electoral_resel (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 2010: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0139/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act_electoral+referendum+act+2010_resel&p=1 (2017);
Referendums Framework Act 2019 Part 2:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2019/0071/latest/LMS215774.html?src=qs
https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/parliamentary-practice-in-new-zealand/chapter-40-referendums/
Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM317193.html?search=ts_act_citizens_resel (2017);
Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0048/latest/DLM73881.html?search=ts_act_postal_resel (2017)
Verified: 2024/07/12
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM317193.html?search=ts_act_citizens_resel (2017) ;
Referendums Framework Act 2019:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2019/0071/latest/LMS215774.html?src=qs
Verified: 2024/07/12
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Elections New Zealand Official Website: https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-is-a-referendum/ (2017) ;
Verified: 2024/07/12
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no legal provisions for recall, but citizens can petition for a judicial review of the election.
Source: Elections New Zealand Official Website: https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-is-a-referendum/(2017)
Electoral Act 1993 Part 8:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM307519.html
Verified: 2024/07/12
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
b . Sometimes binding
Comments: Citizens initiated referenda are indicative.
Government initiated referenda can be either binding or indicative.
Source: Elections New Zealand Official Website: Elections New Zealand Official Website: http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/referenda (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0086/latest/DLM307166.html?search=ts_act_electoral_resel (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 2010: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0139/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act_electoral+referendum+act+2010_resel&p=1 (2017);
Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM317193.html?search=ts_act_citizens_resel (2017);
Verified: 2024/09/04
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Elections New Zealand Official Website: http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/referenda (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0086/latest/DLM307166.html?search=ts_act_electoral_resel (2017);
Electoral Referendum Act 2010: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0139/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act_electoral+referendum+act+2010_resel&p=1 (2017);
Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM317193.html?search=ts_act_citizens_resel (2017);
Verified: 2024/09/04
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No, but the Local Government Act of 2002 does provide a legal framework for consultation with persons effected by any decision or other matter taken by a local authority.
Source: Elections New Zealand Official Website: http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/referenda (2017) ;
Local Government Act of 2002 Sections 82-27:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM170873.html?search=qs_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_local+government+act_resel_25_h&p=1&sr=1
Verified: 2024/09/04
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