Op-ed: As New Zealand considers extending parliamentary term, larger constitutional issues remain

If history is a guide, any future referendum on extending the parliamentary term to four years will be rejected by New Zealanders. Two previous referendums, in 1967 and 1990, saw nearly 70% of voters favour retaining a three-year term. But it’s clearly an idea that won’t go away. With the Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill now due for its second reading – and expected to pass into law – New Zealanders will once again be tasked with deciding on this significant constitutional question. The intention behind changing to four years, according to its proponents, is to help improve lawmaking, allowing more time to develop and progress policy and legislation without the uncertainty and downtime of more frequent elections. Retaining the three-year term, on the other hand, would allay concerns about accountability and a lack of constitutional safeguards. And this lies at the heart of the debate.
Read the full article here: The Conversation