A question about voting in New Zealand?

Question

I'm not sure how to say this, I but don't mean voting as in voting on the general election.

I'm actually wondering why we can't vote on propositions as they do in America? Like when same sex marriage was legalised in California, the people voted on it, but in New Zealand our government makes those decisions for us instead. We can only vote on general elections and then we have to hope the government makes the right decisions for us.

Why is that?
Why don't we have the right to vote on the changes that occur in our country?

I mean, I'm voting for the Green Party this November, but in doing so, I'm not giving Russel Norman my permission to make my decisions for me...

Answer 1

They also listen to what we've got to say. They don't just make their own decisions. we can't be like america, sorry about that

Answer 2

What you are talking about here is what in NZ we would call a binding referendum. In California the same thing is called a proposition. In other US states it is called a ballot initiative. We do have these in New Zealand, for example one of these switched NZ to the MMP electoral system and the referendum this year will compel the government to hold a new binding referendum in 2014 to replace MMP if it passes.



The difference between our systems is that in NZ the government can decide whether a referendum will be binding or not. In California all propositions are binding, meaning the government must do what they say. They can actually change law. In NZ the government may choose to make a referendum non-binding, so they can just dismiss the results. One would think they would be loathe to dismiss such votes however since they'd be going against the popular will of the people who elected them. Apparently not though, since in the non-binding Ant-Smacking Bill Referendum in 2009 people voted 88% to strike down the law but the govt. ignored the result and kept the law in place.



The argument against having all referendums be binding is that it could lead to tyranny of the majority. NZ does not have a written Constitution like the US and all US states. If a proposition in the US goes too far and harms a minority group (like gays or immigrants) the courts can rule it violates the constitution. There is not such an easy protection in NZ. Under California rules you could have a referendum in NZ to remove the Treaty of Waitangi or such. In Switzerland the general elections have little importance because pretty much every major issue is decided by referendum. Recently the Swiss voted this way to ban mosques from having minarets, some would say a clear case of tyranny of the majority at the expense of a disliked minority group.



The argument for all referendums being binding is simply that the expense and difficulty of holding a referendum that will have no effect whatsoever is stupid. Why go through all that trouble and spend millions of dollars when the government never has any intention of changing policy regardless of the outcome?



I'm an American-New Zealander and as such can vote in both country's elections. My birth state is Massachusetts so that's where I vote. We have between 3 and 10 binding referenda (called ballot initiatives) every general election. Recent ones decriminalised marijuana and lowered taxes on alcohol. They can be dangerous though, as one recent one would have cut taxes so sharply the state would have gone bankrupt. Thankfully this one was defeated. Still, ruling by referenda may be more democratic, but it can also be quite dangerous.

Answer 3

The All Whites are the genuine Cinderella team of this experience. i might truly prefer to foretell a win. even nonetheless the South American communities are 11 wins 2 attracts and nil losses. Their federation is on hearth and New Zealand would not have sufficient water to place out that hearth. Paraguay 2 New Zealand a million however the All Whites are going to play their hearts out and their @sses off.

Answer 4

People CAN change policy issues, or laws by getting a petition prepared and getting 150,000 + signatures from registered voters. If this is signed CORRECTLY by everyone. (as in giving CORRECT names, addresses, registered voters only etc and the people only sign ONCE) then its then checked and then presented to the government in Wellington. This is then prepared for the 'speaker' to voice the concern of the NZ people and the MP's then vote if it will be made into a bill....or made into law.



Normally you will find these petitions at your local library on a stand with someone there explaining the policy that they want changed, and its on a table with a pen for you to sign. Or else they will be outside department stores in the weekends.