Soical Studies Pain in the ass :D

GOVERNMENT THINGS

Why is government important to society?

It helps make collective decisions, creates laws, provides key services, and maintains order to prevent chaos.

What are the three branches of government in New Zealand?

The Legislature (Parliament) 2. The Executive (The Government) 3. The Judiciary (The Courts)

What is the main role of the Legislature (Parliament)?

To debate, create, and vote on new laws, and to represent the people (made up of Members of Parliament/MPs).

What is the main role of the Executive branch?

To run the country, make day-to-day decisions, and put the laws passed by Parliament into action (made up of the Prime Minister, ministers, and government departments).

What is a Democracy?

A system of government where power is held by the people, who participate in decision-making directly or by electing representatives in free and fair elections.

What is a Dictatorship?

A form of government where absolute power is held by one person or a small elite, usually taken and maintained through force, military power, and suppression of freedoms.

What is a Constitutional Monarchy?

A government system where a monarch (king or queen) is the symbolic head of state, but their power is strictly limited by a constitution, while elected officials run the government.

What is an Absolute Monarchy?

A system where a single monarch holds supreme, unlimited power over the country without constitutional or legal restraints.

What is Communism?

An economic and political system advocating for a classless society where all property and wealth are communally owned rather than privately owned.

What is a Theocracy?

A system of government where religious leaders rule in the name of a deity, and state laws are heavily based on religious principles.

What is Anarchy?

The absence of any central government or ruling authority in a society.

What type of government system does New Zealand have?

A constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary representative democracy.

What is a Representative Democracy?

A system where citizens elect politicians (such as MPs) to make laws and govern on their behalf, rather than voting directly on every law.

What are the requirements to vote in a New Zealand General Election?

You must be 18 years or older, be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived in NZ continuously for 12 months or more at some time.

What is the difference between the General Roll and the Māori Roll?

People of Māori descent can choose to enroll on either roll. This choice determines whether they vote for a candidate in a General electorate or a Māori electorate, though everyone's Party vote is worth the same.

What does MMP stand for, and how many votes do you get?

Mixed Member Proportional. Voters get two votes: an Electorate Vote and a Party Vote.

What is the difference between the Electorate Vote and the Party Vote under MMP?

• Electorate Vote: Votes for a specific local MP to represent your geographic area.

• Party Vote: Votes for a political party; determines the total proportion of seats each party gets in Parliament.

What is a Coalition Government?

A government formed when two or more political parties agree to work together to combine their seats in Parliament to reach a majority (over 50% of seats).

What was FPP (First Past the Post)?

The voting system New Zealand used before 1996 where voters had only one vote for a local candidate, and the candidate with the most votes won (even if under 50%).

What is an advantage of MMP over FPP?

MMP ensures Parliament reflects the nationwide vote share more accurately and gives smaller parties a better chance of being represented.

What is a disadvantage of MMP?

It often requires coalition negotiations between parties, which can make decision-making slower and lead to political compromises.

What is a citizen?

A person who legally belongs to a country and possesses certain rights, legal protections, and responsibilities within that society.

Give examples of rights vs. responsibilities of NZ citizens.

• Rights: Freedom of speech, right to vote, right to education, access to healthcare.

• Responsibilities: Following laws, respecting the rights of others, voting, serving on a jury if called.

What is a government?

A group of people, offices, and departments that control and manage a country, state, or community to maintain order, create laws, and provide services.

What is Local Government, and what are its main roles?

• Examples: City Councils and District Councils (e.g., Kāpiti Coast District Council).

• Main Roles: Managing local infrastructure and community amenities like local roads, rubbish and recycling collection, water supply, parks, reserves, public libraries, and local community facilities.

What is Regional Government, and what are its main roles?

• Examples: Regional Councils (e.g., Greater Wellington Regional Council - GWRC).

• Main Roles: Managing broader environment and region-wide services like public transport networks, environmental protection, flood protection/river control, and regional planning/resource management.

What is National (Central) Government, and what are its main roles?

• Examples: Parliament / Central Government.

• Main Roles: Managing the entire nation by making laws, governing national operations (defense, police, healthcare, education), and deciding how central government tax money is spent.

Why are the different levels of government important? (PEEL Structure)

• Point: The different parts of government are important because each level handles distinct responsibilities necessary to keep New Zealand functioning effectively.

• Explain: Local councils focus on immediate neighborhood facilities, regional councils manage wider natural resources and transportation across regions, while central government manages nationwide laws and funding.

• Example: A local council repairs local footpaths and collects household rubbish, while Parliament passes national legislation and sets country-wide budgets.

• Link: Divided responsibility ensures both daily local needs and overall national stability are properly addressed.

What is the Prioritise Kāpiti initiative?

The initial stage of public engagement led by Mayor Janet Holborow and the Council to prepare the next Long-term Plan (LTP). It invites community feedback on council priorities and budget trade-offs

What key focus areas form the Kāpiti Coast District Council's proposed priorities?

Description: The Council proposed 8 district-wide priorities spanning essential services and community needs, including:

1. Water infrastructure

2. Land use planning

3. Housing availability & planning

4. Community health & well-being

5. Working in partnership with others (e.g., regional & central agencies)

6. Focusing on legislated duties (must-do services)

What key planning principles is the Kāpiti Coast District Council testing for its Long-term Plan (LTP)?

Description: Five planning principles to keep the budget under control, including:

• Living within financial limits (keeping rates increases lower).

• Prioritising mandatory/essential ("must-do") services.

• Adopting a user-pays approach where appropriate.

• Balancing long-term investments with affordable community options.

How was Māori society organised before Europeans arrived?

Māori society was organised into whānau, hapū, and iwi, each with their own leaders, decisions, land, and resources.

Was there one Māori government ruling all of Aotearoa?

There was no single government or king ruling all of Aotearoa. Iwi and hapū were largely independent.

There was no single government or king ruling all of Aotearoa. Iwi and hapū were largely independent.

Tikanga means Māori customs, traditions, and traditional laws that guided how people behaved and made decisions.

When did the ancestors of Māori arrive in Aotearoa?

They arrived from East Polynesia between about 1250 and 1300 CE.

What did Māori ancestors travel to Aotearoa in?

They travelled in large ocean-going waka.

Name some ancestral waka that iwi trace their whakapapa back to.

e Arawa, Tainui, Mātaatua, Tākitimu, and Kurahaupō.

Why are ancestral waka important to Māori identity?

They connect iwi to their whakapapa (ancestral connections) and origins.

What resources did early Māori gather and use?

They hunted birds, fished, gathered food, and used resources such as pounamu, obsidian, and preserved foods.

Why did competition for resources increase?

As the population grew, there was more competition for fertile land, forests, rivers, and fishing grounds.

Why did whānau join together to form hapū?

To provide greater protection and manage resources more effectively.

What is a hapū?

A hapū is a group of related whānau who work together, often under shared leadership.

What is an iwi?

An iwi is a larger group formed from related hapū.

How independent was each hapū?

Each hapū was largely independent and made its own decisions.

Who led a hapū?

A rangatira (chief/leader) provided leadership.

What gave a rangatira authority?

Their mana, leadership skills, and the support and respect of their people.

Did rangatira simply give orders?

No. Important decisions were often discussed openly, allowing community members to express their views.

What was important about Māori decision-making?

It involved listening, discussion, and building agreement, rather than one person ruling alone.

When might several hapū work together?

They might work together for trade, celebrations, or defence against rival groups.

Who was responsible for each iwi's people, whenua, and taonga?

Each iwi was responsible for its own people, land (whenua), and treasures/resources (taonga).

What changed as more Pākehā arrived in the early 1800

Trade increased, but so did conflict, disagreements over land sales, lawlessness, and concerns about foreign powers.

What was He Whakaputanga?

He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni was the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, signed by northern rangatira.

When was He Whakaputanga first signed?

1835.

What is Article 1 about?

The Māori version says rangatira gave the Crown kawanatanga (governorship), while the English version says Māori ceded sovereignty to the Crown.

What is Article 2 about?

Māori were guaranteed tino rangatiratanga (authority) over their lands, homes and treasures. The Crown also had the right to buy land.

What is Article 3 about?

Māori would have the same rights and privileges as British subjects.

What is a major difference between Article 1 in Māori and English?

Māori understood they were giving the Crown governorship, while the English version says they gave the Crown sovereignty.

What does tino rangatiratanga mean?

Full authority/chiefly leadership — Māori authority over their people, lands and resources.

Why did many Māori want a Treaty?

To protect their land, control British settlers, reduce crime and conflict, strengthen trade, and maintain authority over their iwi and hapū.

Why did Britain want a Treaty?

To create law and order, protect British settlers, strengthen trade, and prevent other countries such as France from claiming New Zealand.

What did Māori expect would happen to their authority?

They expected to continue governing their own iwi and hapū and retain authority over their whenua.

What did Britain expect from the Treaty?

Britain expected to gain greater control/governance in New Zealand and establish British authority.

What did both Māori and Britain want?

Peace, order, protection and a positive relationship between Māori and the Crown.

Why did Māori worry about British settlers?

Some settlers were involved in drunkenness, violence, theft and crime, especially around Kororāreka.

Why was Britain worried about France?

Britain feared France might establish a colony in New Zealand.

When was the first signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi?

6 February 1840.

Where was the Treaty first signed?

Waitangi.

Did all Māori rangatira sign Te Tiriti?

No. Many signed, but not all.

How many rangatira eventually signed?

More than 500.

Did every rangatira have the same understanding of the Treaty?

No. The Māori and English versions had important differences.

Why were the different versions important?

Different meanings could lead Māori and the British to have different expectations about how New Zealand would be governed.

Article 2 is about Māori giving all their land and treasures to the Crown.

False. Article 2 protects Māori authority over their lands, homes and treasures.

Te Tiriti was signed by Māori rangatira and representatives of the British Crown.

True.

All Māori rangatira signed Te Tiriti.

False. Not all rangatira signed.

There are important differences between the Māori and English versions of Article 1.

True.

Article 2 protects Māori tino rangatiratanga over their lands, homes and treasures.

True.

Article 3 is about Māori having the same rights and privileges as British subjects.

True.

Te Tiriti was first signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1841.

False. It was 6 February 1840.

The differences between the two versions could lead Māori and Britain to have different expectations.

True.

What is He Whakaputanga?

The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, signed in 1835.

What did He Whakaputanga declare?

That Aotearoa was an independent nation and Māori rangatira held authority.

What was the United Tribes called in Māori?

Te Wakaminenga o ngā Hapū o Nu Tireni.

What did tino rangatiratanga mean in He Whakaputanga?

Māori rangatira would retain full authority and chiefly leadership over their iwi and hapū.

How would iwi and hapū continue to govern themselves?

According to tikanga Māori.

What did the rangatira agree to do together?

Meet regularly, make laws, keep peace, solve disputes and manage trade.

Why did the rangatira invite other iwi to join?

To strengthen the United Tribes and work together.

Why did Māori want He Whakaputanga?

To protect their independence and authority and work together to manage Aotearoa.

Why did Britain support He Whakaputanga?

Britain recognised the United Tribes and their flag, while building a relationship with Māori and supporting protection from foreign powers.

Who did He Whakaputanga mainly protect?

Māori interests, especially their independence and authority.

What do the Maori wanted.

protect land, authority, peace.

Britain wanted:

Law + settlers + trade + control