2024 Niuean constitutional referendum
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A constitutional referendum will be held in Niue on 31 August 2024.[1] Four amendments to the constitution are proposed, which will be voted on separately.[1]
Background
[edit]The first reading of the constitutional amendment bills took place in March 2024, with the Assembly voting in fabour 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.[2] The second reading was approved in May.[3] This was followed by a mandatory 13-week period during which public consultations took place.[3]
Following consultations in 13 of the 14 villages, the bills passed their third reading in early August.[4]
Proposed amendments
[edit]The four proposed amendments are:[1][2]
- Changing the title of the head of government from premier to prime minister
- Extending the term length of the Assembly from three to four years
- Increasing the size of the cabinet from four to six members
- 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.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "National referendum to decide on proposed amendments to Niue Constitution". PINA. 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Niue Constitution amendment bills pass first reading". PINA. 3 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Niue set for first Prime Minister as constitutional changes pass second reading". The New Zealand Herald. 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Niue Assembly pass the third and final reading of the Bills aimed at amending the Constitution of Niue". TV Niue. 9 August 2024.