Abstract:
This paper considers the key constitutional role played by Parliament in New
Zealand. It briefly examines the New Zealand constitutional arrangements, and finds
that the primary responsibility for all constitutional matters falls on Parliament
because of the absence of one formally codified, legislatively-supreme and entrenched
document. It argues that the allocation of core responsibility for constitutional matters
to Parliament is perhaps the most appropriate and effective way for constitutional
matters to be dealt with, providing that the rules by which Parliament operates are
framed to support this function. Finally, it examines the rules of the New Zealand
Parliament and suggests a number of ways in which they could be improved to
support Parliament’s role as the “guardians of the constitution” in New Zealand.
