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Constitution of New Zealand 2008
Preamble:
This Constitution of New Zealand 2008 (“The Act”) is intended to provide a platform for governing New Zealand effectively with enshrined freedoms and checks and balances. The Act is divided into two sections, one for human rights of the people, and the other for establishing a government separated into four branches which have separate and opposing powers.
An Act—
· To affirm, protect, and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in New Zealand; and
· To prescribe the composition, election and separation of government powers into four entities; and
BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of New Zealand as follows:
Short Title and commencement:
1. This Act may be cited as the New Zealand Constitution 2008.
2. This Act shall come into force on the 28th day after the date on which it is passed by the House of Representatives.
1. General provisions
1. The rights, powers and freedoms contained in This Act are affirmed.
2. The provisions in This Act shall:
a) apply only to acts done within the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Government by or against any person, organisation or body, including the legislative, executive, judicial and independent branches of the government of New Zealand.
b) be preferred to any other meaning whenever an enactment can be given a meaning that is consistent with the Rights and freedoms contained in This Act.
c) not be breached in any way by the New Zealand Government through any laws made, actions done or failures to act.
d) not be amended except by public referendum of the New Zealand citizens on the issue, which returns a vote in excess of 50% in favour of that change.
e) not be interpreted as extinguishing a person, group or organisations rights to any other provision in this act, except where it is expressly and explicitly provided for in the wording of that provision.
f) be enforced by the New Zealand Government equally for the benefit of every citizen without fear or favour, and to their fullest extent
3. This Act contains the following subsections:
a) Human Rights Subsection:
1. Life and Security of Person
2. Liberty of Physical Action
3. Freedom of Thought and Religion
4. Freedom of Expression
5. Freedom of Movement
6. Property
7. Privacy
8. Fair interaction
9. Equal Treatment
10. Marriage and Family
11. Nationality
12. Participate in Government
13. Linguistic and Cultural Rights
14. Due Process
15. Employment
16. Rights of Specific Groups
i. Children and Young persons
ii. Parents and Guardians
iii. Tenants
iv. Victims
v. Witnesses
vi. Indigenous
vii. Refugees
viii. Bereaved
b) Separation of Powers Subsection:
1. Branches of government
2. Composition of legislature
3. Composition of Executive
4. Composition of Judiciary
5. Composition of Independent Bodies
6. Powers of Legislature
7. Powers of Executive
8. Powers of Judiciary
9. Powers of Chief of Independence
10. Local Government