A constitutional referendum was held in Niue on 31 August 2024.[1][2] Four amendments to the constitution were proposed, which were voted on separately.[2] Two of the proposals – to rename the post of premier to prime minister and to identify the Auditor-General of New Zealand as the country's official auditor – were approved. The other two – to increase the number of ministers and extend the term length of the Niue Assembly – were rejected.
Background
editThe first reading of the constitutional amendment bills took place in March 2024, with the Assembly voting in favour of all four. Although Premier Dalton Tagelagi had proposed proceeding directly to a second reading, the Assembly referred the bills to the Constitution Review Committee.[3] The second reading was approved in May.[4] This was followed by a mandatory 13-week period during which public consultations took place.[4]
Following consultations in 13 of the 14 villages, the bills passed their third reading in early August.[5]
Proposed amendments
editThe four proposed amendments were (in their order on the ballot):[2][3]
- Changing the title of the head of government from premier to prime minister
- Increasing the size of the cabinet from four to six members
- Extending the term length of the Assembly from three to four years
- Identifying the Auditor-General of New Zealand as the country's official auditor rather than a generic reference to the Audit Office of New Zealand.
Results
edit| Question | For | Against | Invalid/ blank |
Total votes |
Registered voters |
Turnout | Outcome | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | ||||||||||
| Changing the title of the head of government from premier to prime minister | 369 | 51.46 | 348 | 48.54 | 2 | 719 | 1,156 | 62.20 | Approved | ||||
| Increasing the size of the cabinet from four to six members | 221 | 30.95 | 493 | 69.05 | 5 | Rejected | |||||||
| Extending the term length of the Assembly from three to four years | 205 | 28.59 | 512 | 71.41 | 2 | Rejected | |||||||
| Identifying the Auditor-General of New Zealand as the country's official auditor | 413 | 57.68 | 303 | 42.32 | 3 | Approved | |||||||
| Source: Government of Niue, Broadcasting Corporation of Niue | |||||||||||||
Aftermath
editHima Douglas, Speaker of the Niue Assembly, officially signed the two approved bills into law on 3 September.[6]
References
edit- ^ "National Referendum to decide on Proposed Amendments to Constitution". Television Niue. 2024-08-15. Archived from the original on 2024-08-25. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ^ a b c "National referendum to decide on proposed amendments to Niue Constitution". PINA. 15 August 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Niue Constitution amendment bills pass first reading". PINA. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Niue set for first Prime Minister as constitutional changes pass second reading". The New Zealand Herald. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Niue Assembly pass the third and final reading of the Bills aimed at amending the Constitution of Niue". TV Niue. 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi 'humbled' by the results of the public referendum". Television Niue. 2024-09-04. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-09-04.