Constitutional Policy
As citizens we expect the state to administer our nation so that everything is done decently and in order and its citizens can participate. A good democratic government disperses power and allows good checks and balances. A government led by righteousness, justice, truth and freedom is what we aim towards.
ONE Party will:
- Support a reduction in the number of electorates to 100
- Support a reduction to 2% threshold of the valid votes cast to obtain seats
- Promote Binding Citizens’ Initiated Referendums
Aotearoa-New Zealand is over-governed and over-represented, and this number of 100 was the figure proposed by the Royal Commission into Electoral Reform. Following each Census, the population of the South Island is divided by 16, and then electorate boundaries are set within a 5% plus or minus to the average. That average figure is then applied across the North Island (both for the General Roll).
The easiest solution would be to reduce the South Island General electorates to twelve, and then apply that average across the North Island General Roll accordingly. Also, with about half of all Maori of voting age now on General Rolls, there should be a respectful discussion to work towards merging the Rolls. Most parties represented in Parliament have no difficulty getting their Maori MP’s elected, either on Party Lists or as Electorate MP’s.
The 5% threshold is designed to keep the two largest parties in control, instead of allowing a genuine democracy.
New Zealand currently operates with a 5% threshold, meaning that no party can be represented in parliament unless it receives the number of votes required to take it to 5% of the total number of votes, or wins an Electorate, thus allowing other Party List MP’s to join them, depending on the percentage their party gains nationwide.
Binding Citizens’ Initiated Referendums should operate in a similar way to the Swiss model. These votes can be held whenever the next general election or local government elections are held. Citizens must get wording approval first, and when 5% of the registered electors have signed a petition supporting that wording within 12 months, a vote must be held at the next suitable election. A simple majority would be indicative, while a two-thirds majority or more would be binding on Parliament.
