Towards Democratic Renewal: Ideas For Constitutional Change In New Zealand

Synopsis

In 2016, Sir Geoffrey Palmer And Andrew Butler Proposed And Published A Written, Codified Constitution For Aotearoa New Zealand. Since Then The Authors Have Travelled The Country, Discussing With The Public The Nature Of New Zealand's Identity And Where The Country Is Headed. After Considering Their Conversations And Formal Submissions, This Second Book - With Its Revised Proposal For A Codified Constitution - Is The Product Of A Year In Development. Towards Democratic Renewal Reinforces Palmer And Butler’s Argument For A Robust And Democratic Framework That Will Safeguard Our Political System Against Future Challenges, From Climate Change To Earthquakes, ‘post-truth’ Politics And Surveillance. This Clear, Revised Constitution Defines And Entrenches Government Accountability And Transparency, Protects The Rights Of Our Peoples And Tangata Whenua, And Offers Transformative Steps To Uphold The Sovereignty And Integrity Of Aotearoa New Zealand--publisher Information. Why A Constitution Is Important? -- Our Constitutional Vision -- What The Public Is Told -- A Constitution Based On Principle -- The State And A New Zealand Republic -- The Government -- Local Government -- The Parliament -- Why New Zealand Does Not Need An Upper House -- The Judiciary -- Integrity And Transparency -- Bill Of Rights -- The Treaty Of Waitangi And The Constitution -- More People Need To Know How Government Works -- Elections Are Not Enough -- Deepening Citizen Engagement -- The Media, Information And Communication -- How To Build A New Constitution -- Constitution Of Aotearoa New Zealand -- Te Pouhere O Aotearoa Niu Tireni -- A Note On The Translation -- Afterword -- Meetings Around New Zealand. Geoffrey Palmer And Andrew Butler, With Assistance From Scarlet Roberts. Includes Bibliographical References.