NZ Government Basics
What city is the capital of New Zealand?
Wellington
Under MMP, how many votes does each person have?
Two
What type of government has no rules or leaders?
Anarchy
What is a bill?
A proposed law
Which country is NZ’s political system based on?
The United Kingdom
How often does New Zealand hold general elections?
Every 3 years
What do the two MMP votes represent?
One for the political party, one for the local electorate MP
What is a dictatorship?
One person rules with total power, often taken by force.
Who signs bills into law after they pass through Parliament?
The Governor General
What is the name for NZ’s law-making group of elected representatives?
Parliament
What are the three branches of New Zealand's government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
What does MMP stand for?
Mixed Member Proportional
What’s the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?
Absolute monarchy: ruler has full control; constitutional monarchy: ruler shares power under a constitution.
How many seats are there in the House of Representatives?
120
What role does the Governor General play in NZ’s government?
Represents the Sovereign (currently King Charles) and gives royal assent to laws.
What is the difference between Parliament and Government in NZ?
Parliament includes all MPs who debate and pass laws; Government is formed by the majority party and runs the country.
Who was allowed to vote in NZ’s first election?
Wealthy European men who owned land/property and were over the age of 21
Why two government types is NZ?
Constitutional monarchy and a representative democracy
What is the process of a bill becoming a law?
Bill introduced → Select Committee → Debate → Votes → Governor General signs it
What kind of leadership existed in Aotearoa before colonisation?
Hapū and iwi-based leadership with rangatira (chiefs) making collective decisions
What is a coalition government and why is it sometimes necessary in NZ?
A coalition government is when two or more parties agree to govern together because no single party wins enough seats to govern alone.
Why does MMP sometimes lead to smaller parties having more influence in government decisions?
Because if a major party needs support to form a government, they may rely on smaller parties in a coalition or agreement, giving those smaller parties a say in policies and decisions.
Give two reasons why leadership systems affect how people live their lives.
They determine rights/freedoms, how laws are made, who has power, and how decisions are enforced.
Name one person or group from each of the three branches of government and their role.
Executive: Prime Minister (runs country), Legislative: MPs (make laws), Judicial: Judges (apply laws)
Why was New Zealand’s political system influenced by the UK, and how does this affect us today?
NZ was a British colony and adopted their system; we still use Westminster-style democracy and a constitutional monarchy.