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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Electoral Act 1993

The House of Representatives - Representation Commission

28: Representation Commission

You could also call this:

"A group that helps make sure New Zealanders are fairly represented in government."

Illustration for Electoral Act 1993

The Representation Commission is a group that helps make sure the people of New Zealand are fairly represented in the House of Representatives. You are part of the people this commission represents. The commission has several members, including the Surveyor-General, the Government Statistician, and the Chief Electoral Officer.

When the commission is working on the boundaries of the general electoral districts, it includes these members, as well as two more members who are appointed by the Governor-General, and a chairperson who is also appointed by the Governor-General. The chairperson is chosen by the other members of the commission.

The commission also has extra members when it is working on the boundaries of the Maori electoral districts, including the chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri and two more members who are Maori, appointed by the Governor-General. You can find more information about how the commission makes decisions in section 43(1).

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM308185.

Topics:
Government and voting > ElectionsMāori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi
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"People You Choose to Represent You in Parliament"

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29: Term of office, or

"When your time as a member of the Representation Commission ends"

Part 3The House of Representatives
Representation Commission

28Representation Commission

  1. In order to provide for the periodical readjustment of the representation of the people of New Zealand in the House of Representatives, there shall be a commission to be known as the Representation Commission.

  2. The Commission shall consist of—

  3. the Surveyor-General:
    1. the Government Statistician:
      1. the Chief Electoral Officer:
        1. the Chairperson of the Local Government Commission:
          1. 2 persons (not being public servants directly concerned with the administration of this Act or members of the House of Representatives), who shall be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council, on the nomination of the House of Representatives, as members of the Commission, 1 of those members being nominated to represent the Government and 1 to represent the Opposition:
            1. 1 person (not being a public servant directly concerned with the administration of this Act or a member of the House of Representatives), who shall be appointed as a member of the Commission by the Governor-General by Order in Council, on the nomination of the members of the Commission who hold office under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) or paragraph (e), or a majority of them, to be the Chairperson of the Commission.

              1. For the purposes of determining the boundaries of the Maori electoral districts, the Commission shall consist not only of the members specified in subsection (2) but also of—

              2. the chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri:
                1. 2 persons (not being public servants directly concerned with the administration of this Act or members of the House of Representatives), who shall be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council on the nomination of the House of Representatives as members of the Commission, 1 of those members being nominated to represent the Government and 1 to represent the Opposition.

                  1. Each of the persons appointed under subsection (3)(b) shall be a Maori.

                  2. Notwithstanding subsection (2)(d), the Chairperson of the Local Government Commission shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the Commission, and shall not be regarded as a member of the Commission for the purpose of forming part of a quorum pursuant to section 43(1).