Politics
New Zealand
Capital: Wellington
Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth realm Independence Day: September 26, 1907 National Holiday: Waitangi Day-February 6 and ANZAC Day April 25 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: Ambassador Michael K. Moore 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 Consolates: New York, Santa Monica Diplomatic Representation from the U.S.: Ambassador David Huebner 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington Consolates: Auckland Representative to the UN: James Kenneth Mclay National Symbol: Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars); kiwi (bird). |
Legislative Branch: Unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 70 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, 50 proportional seats chosen from party lists; serve three-year terms).
Executive Branch: The monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general. Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; The judges are appointed by the governor general. |