New Zealand · Constitution
Uncodified — principally the Constitution Act 1986
New Zealand's constitution is spread across statutes, the Treaty of Waitangi 1840, the prerogative, standing orders and convention. The Constitution Act 1986 is the central instrument, confirming the Sovereign as head of state, the House of Representatives as the legislature and the independence of the judiciary. Other key components are the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, the Electoral Act 1993 (whose reserved provisions require a 75% majority or a referendum), the Senior Courts Act 2016 and the Supreme Court's creation in 2004.
The constitutional text
New Zealand's constitution is spread across statutes, the Treaty of Waitangi 1840, the prerogative, standing orders and convention. The Constitution Act 1986 is the central instrument, confirming the Sovereign as head of state, the House of Representatives as the legislature and the independence of the judiciary. Other key components are the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, the Electoral Act 1993 (whose reserved provisions require a 75% majority or a referendum), the Senior Courts Act 2016 and the Supreme Court's creation in 2004.
Separation of powers
Unitary. Parliament legislates for the whole country and there are no states or provinces. Regional and territorial authorities exist only under the Local Government Act 2002 and exercise delegated statutory powers. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory, while the Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and have their own legal systems.
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