Time for a Change

Kiwis went to the polls on Saturday to cast their democratic vote. The winds of change were blowing and it was out with the old and in with the new. After three terms in office, Labour was ousted by National.

In 1993 New Zealanders voted in a referendum to change from the traditional first-past-the-post (FPP) to Mixed Member Proportional representation (MMP). Everyone has two votes, a vote for the party of your choice and another vote for your local member of Parliament. Proportional representation has allowed for members of the minor parties to have a voice in Parliament.

Did you know that New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote? The Electoral Act was signed in 1893 granting women the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

Flying the Flag for New Zealand