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Government Concepts Review

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Government Concepts Review

Use the information on this sheet to solve each task. Write in your own words where asked. In Aotearoa New Zealand, government operates under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The elected House of Representatives makes laws and holds the government to account.

Who does what?

Think about how responsibilities are shared across government.

1.Match each part of government to its main role. Use each role once.

Legislature (Parliament)
Executive (Prime Minister and ministers)
Judiciary (courts and judges)

Runs the country and puts laws and policies into action
Makes laws and scrutinises the government
Interprets and applies the law independently

2.Which statement best describes the role of the Governor-General in New Zealand?

The Governor-General leads the largest political party in Parliament.
The Governor-General represents the monarch and carries out formal constitutional duties.
The Governor-General decides the outcomes of court cases.
The Governor-General runs local councils.

3.A community wants a damaged local footpath repaired. Which level of government is usually responsible for deciding and organising this work?

Elections and representation

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system. Voters normally cast a party vote and an electorate vote. The party vote largely determines each party’s share of seats; electorate MPs represent local areas. A party can qualify for seats by reaching 5% of the party vote or winning an electorate seat.

4.A party receives 8% of the party vote and does not win an electorate seat. Based on the rule above, can it qualify for seats in Parliament? Explain briefly.

5.At an election, Hana wants to support a party whose policies she agrees with and also choose the person who will represent her local electorate. Which vote does she use for each choice?

6.What is the minimum age to vote in a New Zealand general election?

A community proposal

A youth group is asking its local council to make a safe, well-lit path to a bus stop. The group gathers residents’ views, writes a proposal and presents it at a council meeting. The council discusses its budget and priorities before deciding what to do.

7.Name one way the youth group is participating in democracy, and explain how it could help influence the council’s decision.

8.Select all the services that are generally responsibilities of local councils in New Zealand.

Local parks and libraries
National defence
Local roads and footpaths
Immigration policy
Rubbish and recycling services

From proposal to law

A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. In a simplified version of the process, a bill is introduced and debated in Parliament, examined by a select committee (which can receive public submissions), debated and voted on further, then receives Royal assent if passed.

9.Number these simplified bill-to-law steps from 1 to 4: receives Royal assent; introduced and debated; examined by a select committee; further debate and vote in Parliament.

10.Why might a select committee invite the public to make submissions on a proposed law? Give one reason.

11.True or false: In a democracy, people can participate only by voting in general elections.

TrueFalse

12.The youth group’s proposal has a limited budget. Suggest one fair question the council should consider before choosing whether to fund the path. Explain why your question matters.