New Zealand House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the New Zealand Parliament. There are usually 120 MPs, though this number can be higher if there is an overhang. Elections take place usually every three years using a mixed-member proportional representation system. The 53rd Parliament sat on 25 November 2020 and the first sat on 17 October 2020.

About New Zealand House of Representatives in brief

Summary New Zealand House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the New Zealand Parliament. There are usually 120 MPs, though this number can be higher if there is an overhang. Elections take place usually every three years using a mixed-member proportional representation system which combines first-past-the-post elected seats with closed party lists. 72 MPs are elected directly in single-member electoral districts and further seats are filled by list MPs based on each party’s share of the party vote. A government is formed from the party or coalition with the majority of MPs. If no majority is possible, then a minority government can be formed with a confidence and supply arrangement. If a government is unable to maintain the confidence of the House then an early general election can be called. Members who change their party allegiance during a term—known as ‘waka-jumping’ may be expelled from the House. Members may also be expelled in cases of criminal activity or other serious misconduct. The 53rd Parliament sat on 25 November 2020 and the first sat on 17 October 2020. Of these current MPs, 57 are the highest number allowed to stand for election since the first women were allowed to vote. The most recent general election was held on October 17, 2013. The current sitting of the current Parliament is the current House of Reps. It consists of 120 members, representing five parliamentary parties. The House passes laws, provides ministers to form Cabinet, and supervises the work of government. It is also responsible for adopting the state’s budgets and approving the state’s accounts.

The prime minister is answerable to, and must maintain the support of, the House of. Representatives; thus, whenever the office of prime minister falls vacant, the governor-general appoints the person who is most likely to command the support. The debating chamber is located inside Parliament House in Wellington, the capital city. Sittings of the. House are usually open to the public, but the House may at any time vote to sit in private. Proceedings are also broadcast through Parliament TV, AM Network and Parliament Today. The New Zealand House of Commons is based, in practice, on the Westminster system. As a democratic institution, the primary role of. the House is to provide representation for the people and to pass legislation on behalf of the people. Some may join a coalition government, while others may stay outside the government but agree to support it on confidence votes. The House draws its membership exclusively from the Cabinet, which is directed by the Prime Minister. It was previously known as the Parliamentary and Executive Titles Act 1907 when New Zealand became a Dominion, and even earlier as \”Members of the General Assembly\” until the passing of the Parliamentary. and Executive. Titles. Act 1907 was passed to establish a bicameral legislature; however the upper chamber, the Legislative Council, was abolished in 1950. The Parliament is based on the British Parliament, which established a bimeral legislature. It has a single chamber, called the Houses of Representatives.