1992 Niuean constitutional referendum explained

Date:13 June 1992
Country:Niue
Yes:604
No:254
Invalid:33
Electorate:1,036

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 70.4% of voters, and came into force on 1 July.[2] [3]

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.[4] The reforms also abolished the Niue Land Court and the Niue Land Appeal Court, instead creating a Land Division in the new High Court.[4]

Qualifications for political candidates were amended to require New Zealand citizenship.[4] It also removed article 31, a requirement for the Chief Justice to approve any legislative proposal that would affect criminal law or personal status.[4] This effectively removed the human rights element of the constitution.[4]

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.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.spc.int/prism/Country/NU/stats/Reports/Abstracts/Niue%20Abstracts_Part1_A.pdf Niue: General Information
  2. http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/newzealand_e_1990_5_add_12_1992.pdf Initial reports submitted by State parties under articles 16 and 17 of the covenant
  3. Web site: OIA 28392 Review of constitution 15 June 1992 . fyi.org.nz . 10 May 2021 . 15 June 1992.
  4. http://www.upf.pf/IMG/pdf/12-RJP15-Pacific-Constitutions.pdf Pacific Constitutions - Overview