Political

   The politics of New Zealand take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The basic system is closely patterned on that of the Westminster System, although a number of significant modifications have been made. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor-General and the head of government is the Prime Minister who chairs the Cabinet drawn from an elected Parliament.

   New Zealand has no formal codified constitution; the constitutional framework consists of a mixture of various documents (including certain acts of the United Kingdom and New Zealand Parliaments), the Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional conventions. The Constitution Act in 1852 established the system of government and these were later consolidated in 1986. Constitutional rights are protected under common law and are strengthened by the Bill of Rights Act 1990 and Human Rights Act 1993, although these are not entrenched and can be overturned by Parliament with a simple majority. The Constitution Act describes the three branches of Government in New Zealand: The Executive (the Sovereign and Cabinet), the legislature (Parliament) and the judiciary (Courts).

Main office holders

Office	Name	Party	Since
Queen	Elizabeth II		6 February 1952
Govemor General	Jerry Mateparae		31 August 2011
Prime Minister	John Key	National Party	19 November 2008

Judiciary

New Zealand has four levels of courts:

• The Supreme Court of New Zealand
• The Court of Appeal
• The High Court
• The District Courts (including the Youth Courts)

New Zealand Political Facts

• New Zealand was the first country in the world to allow women the right to vote, in 1893.
• Today, every male and female over the age of 18 has the right to vote in New Zealand.
• During the 1930s and '40s, the Labour Party implemented Social Security schemes, the 40 hour working week and minimum wage requirements.
• After World War II the National Party won power. Apart from two brief periods of Labour   governance (1957-60 and 1972 – 75), National   remained in power until the 1980s.
• The centre-right National Party currently holds power in New Zealand, led by John Key.
• The main opposition party is the centre-left Labour Party led by Phil Goff.
• Smaller parties include the left-wing Green Party, the right-wing New Zealand First, ACT and Maori parties.
• At the local government level, New Zealand has 12 regional councils, which are divided into either City or District Councils. There are 16 City Councils and 57 District Councils in New Zealand.