Government

New Zealand has no formal constitution. Certain acts of the New Zealand Parliament have constitutional effect since they set forth the basic structure and fundamental principles of the government. The Royal Titles Act. of 1953 recognizes New Zealand as a monarchical state and as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Electoral Act of 1956 deals with elections and Parliament. The 1956 act has several “reserved sections” that can be repealed only by a 75 per cent majority of Parliament or by a popular referendum.

As in all other Commonwealth states that have retained the monarchical form of government, the British monarch is represented in New Zealand by a governor general. The governor general is appointed by the British monarch on the advice of New Zealand's executive council and is the nominal head of government. In the execution of executive powers, however, he or she must be guided by the advice of the executive council. The real executive power is exercised by the prime minister and the various other ministers who make up the executive council. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament, and the other ministers also must be members of Parliament.

New Zealand's Parliament has only one house, the House of Representatives. Its 120 members are elected in a system of mixed member proportional representation, with 67 directly elected members (six of whom are elected in exclusively Maori elections) and 53 members chosen from party lists. Terms last three years but Parliament can be dissolved and new elections called at any time.

The judiciary consists of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the District courts. Besides these courts of general jurisdiction, there are courts in special fields, such as the Arbitration Court, the Maori Land Court, and the Young Persons Court. All judges are appointed by the governor-general on nomination of the cabinet.

For local government purposes, New Zealand is divided into counties, district councils, boroughs, and town districts. Some counties are subdivided into ridings.