Electoral Reform in New Zealand - Parliamentary Electoral Reform

Parliamentary Electoral Reform

All New Zealand elections from 1914 to 1996 consistently used the British system of 'first past the post' (FPP) for parliamentary elections (bloc voting and runoff voting were also used in some elections before 1914). This system had consistently favoured the two largest parties, since 1936 being National and Labour. In 1978 and 1981, National won more seats even though Labour won more votes. Both parties would focus their efforts on marginal electoral seats, and 'safe' seats with large working class or farming populations were taken for granted.

In 1984, Labour was elected to power. Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, also Minister of Justice, established the Royal Commission on the Electoral System in 1985. The Royal Commission's report, in 1986, entitled Towards a Better Democracy recommended the adoption of Mixed Member Proportional. Initially, the report was largely ignored outside of academic circles. The Electoral Reform Coalition was formed to lobby the government for a referendum on the electoral system.

At the 1987 election, Prime Minister David Lange promised to hold a referendum on changing to MMP at, or before, the next election. In May 1990 Labour member John Terris submitted a private members bill to force a binding referendum on the electoral system. However, this bill was defeated. At the 1990 election National, under Jim Bolger, promised to hold a referendum before the 1993 election.