Niuean constitutional referendum, 1992

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Niue

Politics portal

A constitutional referendum was held in Niue on 13 June 1992.[1] The proposed amendments to the constitution were the first since the country's original constitution was approved in a 1974 referendum.[1] The changes were approved by a large majority of voters.[2]

Proposed changes

The changes to the constitution included the introduction of the Niuean High Court and Court of Appeal, replacing the use of the equivalent courts in New Zealand.[3] The reforms also abolished the Niue Land Court and the Niue Land Appeal Court, instead creating a Land Division in the new High Court.[3]

Qualifications for political candidates were amended to require New Zealand citizenship.[3] It also removed article 31, a requirement for the Chief Justice to approve any legislative proposal that would affect criminal law or personal status.[3] This effectively removed the human rights element of the constitution.[3]

Aftermath

Following the approval of the changes, there was subsequent criticism that the individual changes should have been voted on separately, as well as of the removal of article 31.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Niue: General Information Secretariat of the Pacific Community
  2. ↑ Initial reports submitted by State parties under articles 16 and 17 of the covenant United Nations
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Pacific Constitutions - Overview University of French Polynesia