78 S e cti o n T w o – c iv il and politi cal rights National general electoral system The new commission will have all the functions of The first general election using the mixed member pro- the original agencies relating to electoral administra- portional system (MMP) was held in 1996. Under MMP tion – information on electoral issues and reviews of every person has two votes – one for a party and one for the electoral system – as well as providing an advisory an electorate candidate. The party vote determines the opinion on whether a draft advertisement is an election overall distribution of parliamentary seats in the House advertisement for the purposes of the Electoral Act. of Representatives. To be entitled to a seat in Parliament, a registered party must gain more than 5 per cent of Local government electoral system all the party votes or win at least one electorate seat. There are three types of local government in New A referendum will be held in conjunction with the 2011 Zealand: regional, territorial (cities and districts) and general election to indicate whether voters want to retain unitary (combining the functions of a regional and the current MMP voting system. territorial council). The Mäori electoral option Local government does not have a formally recognised After each census, the process of redrawing electorate constitutional status, although Parliament’s Standing boundaries begins with a four-month Mäori electoral Orders give local authorities the right to promote option. During this period, Mäori can choose to be on legislation affecting their own districts independently of either the Mäori electoral roll or the general roll. The central government. Local authorities enjoy considerable results form the basis for calculating the Mäori electoral independence from the Government, but must act within population and the general electoral population, and the legal framework established by Parliament. determine the number of Mäori seats for the following two general elections. Local government elections occur every three years under the Local Electoral Act 2002, which establishes principles Currently, the 122 seats in Parliament consist of 63 from to ensure fair and effective representation for individuals general electorates, seven from Mäori electorates and 52 and communities in local government. It also allows from party lists. The 2008 election created an overhang of regional councils to provide Mäori seats and a triennial two seats. representation review for choice of the electoral system. Citizens-initiated referenda To date, only one council (Environment Bay of Plenty) has The Citizens Initiated Referendum Act 1993 (CIR Act) provides a process for individuals and corporate bodies to allocated specific seats for Mäori. The electoral systems available for loca-body elections are ‘first past the post’ initiate national referenda on any subject if 10 per cent of (FPP) and ‘single transferable vote’ (STV). registered voters sign a petition in support. The results of Local Government Act 2002 such referenda are indicative only and not binding on the The Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) requires local Government. authorities to promote the social, economic, environ- Election oversight and review mental and cultural well-being of their communities, As part of the electoral reform package, the Electoral in a way that is sustainable now and in the future. Act 1993 was amended to establish a new Electoral It promotes the accountability of local authorities to their Commission as an independent Crown entity. The new communities 15 and respect for the Crown’s responsibili- Commission will merge the functions of the Chief Elec- ties under the Treaty of Waitangi, and provides oppor- toral Officer and the Electoral Commission from 1 October tunities for Mäori to contribute to local government 2010. 14 The Chief Registrar of Electors’ responsibility decision-making. 16 Part 6 requires local authorities to for the electoral role will transfer to the new Electoral involve citizens in decisions that affect their lives, by Commission in October 2010. setting out principles for consultation with communities, 14 This was an action point in the previous Action Plan. 15 LGA 2002, section 3(c) 16 LGA 2002, section 4