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The Royal Commission on the Electoral System was formed in New Zealand in 1985, and reported in 1986. The decision to form the Royal Commission was taken by the Fourth Labour government, after the Labour party had received more votes, yet won fewer seats than the National Party in both the 1978 and 1981 elections. The Royal Commission's report Towards a Better Democracy was instrumental in effecting New Zealand to change its electoral system from first-past-the-post to mixed member proportional.
Contents
Membership
The Royal Commission consisted of
- John Wallace (Chairman)
- John Darwin
- Kenneth Keith
- Richard Mulgan
- Whetumarama Wereta (Māori representative)
Criteria
The Royal Commission established ten criteria for choosing an electoral system. The criteria were not weighed equally by the commission, and a balance was sought.
1. Fairness between political parties
2. Effective representation of minority and special interest groups
3. Effective Māori representation
4. Political Integration
5. Effective representation of constituents
6. Effective voter participation
7. Effective government
8. Effective Parliament
9. Effective parties
10. Legitimacy
The Commission evaluated first-past-the-post, single transferable vote, Supplementary Member, Alternative Vote and mixed member proportional.
Recommendations
- The Commission unanimously recommended the adoption of mixed member proportional, with a threshold of 4% and that a referendum be held before or at the 1987 election.
- They also recommended that the Māori seats be abolished, with Māori parties instead receiving representation if they did not pass the threshold.
- That the number of MPs raise to 120 (although they considered 140 would be ideal, they realised that it would receive too much public backlash).
- The term of Parliament be raised to four years.
- The Commission recommended that citizens initiated referendums not be implemented. However, they were in 1993.
Implementation
In 1992 and 1993, two referendums were held, resulting in the adoption of MMP. The threshold was changed to 5% and the Māori seats were retained instead of allowing Māori parties to avoid the threshold. The number of MPs was increased to 120.
A referendum was held on increasing the term of Parliament to four years in 1990. It failed to pass; Parliament continues operating under a three-year term.