AOTEAROA NZ'S CONSTITUTION/GOVERNMENT - LAWS101

Colony

A territory under the immediate political control of a state, distinct from the home territory of the sovereign

Dominion

Semi-independent entity under the British Crown that constituted part of the British Empire

Realm

A fully independent nation with a British monarch as head of state

Republic

A fully independent nation where supreme power is held by the people with an elected or nominated head of state

May, 1840

Hobson proclaimed sovereignty over NZ - Te Tiriti had not yet been signed in the SI. NI, sovereignty was claimed by cession, and in SI, by discovery

November, 1840

The Queen declares NZ a separate colony to the NSW colony

1907

The King declares NZ a dominion. Starting to devolve British power to the colonies themselves. Confidence of NZ grows, but close association to Britain remains.

1947

NZ enacts legislation to become a realm. This was for technical constitutional reasons - NZ now able to deal with legislation internally

Features of the constitution

1) Unwritten

2) Not entrenched

3) Not supreme

Principles of NZ legal system

1) Parliamentary supremacy

2) Rule of law

3) Separation of powers

Values of NZ legal system

Democracy, justice, fair trial