CHANGING DEMOCRACY

  BC and the politics of Middle Earth   

REVIEWING MMP

In 1996, New Zealand held it's first election where representatives were chosen through MMP. Immediately, it looked like the critics were right.

For several weeks Kiwi's didn't know who was going to form a government. No party won a clear majority. Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand First, had campaigned hard against the National Party.

Peters won only six constituencies (ridings). Eleven of his 17 MPs were elected based on the popular vote and selected, not by constituency voters, but from a list of candidates submitted by the party. Today, controversy continues over the legitimacy of "List MPs," but not in the mind of Winston Peters.

Following the 1996 election, in what critics called a betrayal, Peters supported the National Party and became a member of the government. His party was punished by voters in the following election. Today New Zealand First has regained some lost support and has 13 MPs.

MMP's most controversial moments seem to surround the horse trading over who will support whom. Small parties often hold a balance of power. New Zealand's Prime Minister Clark says politics is still a very big part of her country's government.

It may still be driven by politics and self-interest, but New Zealand's government has changed significantly. Even critics admit MMP has increased diversity in Parliament. Governments have to be less secretive and more transparent. David McGee is Clerk of the House of Representatives.

New Zealand's last election occurred in 2002. Even people who don't like MMP have to agree things are running smoother. The politicians and the public know the system better. Asking questions about potential coalition partners is crucial during the election campaign. But there are still many critics including Roger Kerr, the executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable.

Recently, a parliamentary committee reviewed MMP. It concluded no changes should be made, at least for the time being. Critics still call for another referendum or a reduction in the number of MP's from 120 to 99. Neither measure seems likely in the short term. Kiwi's may be slowly getting used to MMP, but according to Auckland University professor Helena Catt, the oldest problem remains.