NEW ZEALAND MODEL-WM

PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

Sabina Imran
Oct 2014

SZABIST 10 TH

Background

New Zealand's system has developed

from the British parliamentary
Westminster system, highest law-making
body in NZ with managerialist reforms,
from two main sources:

Common law, derived from decisions made

in the United Kingdom and some in New
Zealand by courts. (NZ differs from the UK
on some aspects of the common law).
Statute law, law made by Parliament.

Constitutional Institutions

Sovereign: Head of State of NZ (Queen),

represented by Governor-General, exercise Queen's
royal powers, invite Leader of the majority party to
form a govt, make regulations & his/her consent is
required for all Bills passed by the House of
Representatives before they become law, act on the
advice of govt., or can exercise independent
judgement.
Legislature: House of Reps/Parliament, 01 chamberHouse of Reps, 2nd chamber, Legislative Council,
abolished in 1951, 120 Members of Parliament (MPs)
are elected for 3 year term, debate/pass legislation,
explain policies having a number of Select
Committees to examine proposed legislation (Bills) in
detail.

Cont.....

Executive: PM, cabinet & public sect, take policy

decisions & administer legislation. Cabinet coordinates the work of Ministers, members of
governing party/parties, presided over by PM, usually
responsible for 01 or more govt depts, but there can
be Ministers "without portfolio", with no responsibility
for any dept., advised by public servants.
Judiciary : independent judiciary, no political
interference, with no critisicism on judges & if an MP
does not like the decision can introduce a Bill to
change the law in question. Judges' role-apply the law
to every case, develop the law by deciding what
legislation passed by Parliament means through
interpretation, examine the acts of govt & private
admin bodies to check whether they act within their
powers.

Others

Designated seats in parliament for Maori

community (land owners),
British/European/Settlers
Mixed member proportional system (MMP),
Voters have two votes; a party vote-what party
they want in Parliament & electorate vote-which
person they want to represent. People of Maori
descent can choose whether to be on the Maori
or general electoral rolls.
2 or more parties to form a govt- coalition or 01
party will support another but will not become a
cabinet member- minority govt
Executives less dominant, power less
concentrated, dispersed among parties

Cont....

Changing policy might be difficult but is

more enduring with more inter-party
negotiations / compromises & less precise
party manifesto commitments
Policy decisions, made in cabinet with
proposals from ministers after scrutiny from
public executives or they can be bypassed
Before major decisions concerned dept are
asked for advice & analysis of implications
multiple parties in govt., multiple
consultations, unilateral decisions are
unlikely

NZ Model- New Model of Public

Management

Improved allocative & productive efficiency

Effective govt., programs
Accountability of govt inst & executives to
parliament
Reduce govt. Expenditure & size of core public
sector
Reduce opportunities for non transparent use of
public power
Improved quality of goods/services produced by
public agencies
Accessible public services, responsive to
consumers & culturally sensitive

Presidential Model-Federal
System

President is elected through electoral system,

representing all states directly
02 houses, House of Representative & SenateCongress
President is dependent on Congress to get
program/funding approval, weaker status than a PM
in WM system, check/balance on legislation
Sp. power of senate, consent required for key
federal appointment, 2/3 majority for foreign
treaties
Congress has the power to approve/reject,
President to shape the policy & develop solution to
social, economic issues

Head of Govt/State leads an executive branch,

armed forces, federal civil service, foreign
affairs & initiator of federal legislation (No
Female) separated from legislature (running
programs kept apart from laws/policy decisions
to adopt), not responsible to legislature & can
dismiss it
Cabinet members attain the office through the
will of president
Cabinet, advisory, non-elected dept.,
secretaries appointed by President or experts
from various sector of community.

Judicial System

Supreme court- Judges are appointed by

President with the approval of Senate
Permanent appointment unless impeached
Political appointment, judiciary to be
separate/independent-outlast the govt in
power, no new induction due to existing pool
appointed by previous President of diff parties
Changes in law, President Roosevelt,
appointment of new judge for every one over
70, refused to retire, not succeeded, issue was
highlighted
Major reform programs/policies need broad
consensus among interest group, supreme
court, Presidential interpretation of executive
functions