Reconstituting the Constitution

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Reconstituting the Constitution: An Overview

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Building the Constitution: Debates; Assumptions; Developments 2000–2010

      • Elizabeth McLeay

      Pages 3-33

   3. Reconstituting the Constitution: Opening Address I

      • Greg Robins

      Pages 35-39

   4. Reconstituting the Constitution: Opening Address II

      • Catherine Harwood

      Pages 41-47

3. Reforming Constitutions: Lessons from Abroad

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 49-49

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   2. South Africa’s Experience in Constitution-Building

      • Heinz Klug

      Pages 51-82

   3. Constitutional Reform in the United Kingdom: Past, Present and Future

      • Robert Hazell

      Pages 83-96

4. The Republican Question

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 97-98

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   2. A Republic for New Zealand? A Modest Approach

      • Michael Cullen

      Pages 99-105

   3. Patriating Our Head of State: A Simpler Path?

      • Dean R Knight

      Pages 107-120

5. The Need for a Written Constitution Strengthening the Bill of Rights Act and the Place of the Treaty of Waitangi

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 121-122

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   2. The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Supreme Constitution for New Zealand: The Problem with Pragmatic Constitutional Evolution

      • Mai Chen

      Pages 123-155

   3. Protecting Rights

      • Andrew Butler, Petra Butler

      Pages 157-184

   4. The Status and Nature of the Treaty of Waitangi

      • Joe Williams

      Pages 185-190

6. The Future of Electoral Law

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 191-193

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   2. The Future of Electoral Law

      • Simon Power

      Pages 195-198

   3. A Better Democracy, Thanks to MMP

      • Charles Chauvel

      Pages 199-217

   4. The Future of Electoral Law

      • Philip A Joseph

      Pages 219-242

   5. Misbehaving Members of Parliament and How to Deal with Them

      • Caroline Morris

      Pages 243-264

All nation states, whether ancient or newly created, must examine their constitutional fundamentals to keep their constitutions relevant and dynamic. Constitutional change has greater legitimacy when the questions are debated before the people and accepted by them. Who are the peoples in this state? What role should they have in relation to the government? What rights should they have? Who should be Head of State? What is our constitutional relationship with other nation states? What is the influence of international law on our domestic system? What process should constitutional change follow? In this volume, scholars, practitioners, politicians, public officials, and young people explore these questions and others in relation to the New Zealand constitution and provide some thought-provoking answers. This book is recommended for anyone seeking insight into how a former British colony with bicultural foundations is making the transition to a multicultural society in an increasingly complex and globalised world.

• Government
• Indigenous rights
• Law
• Parliament
• Public Law

• , School of Law, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom

  Caroline Morris

• , Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

  Jonathan Boston

• , Faculty of Law, Victoria University, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

  Petra Butler

Policies and ethics