Constitution a rural issue too

 DairyNZ board chair and farmer John Luxton is one of 12 independently appointed people working on the Constitutional Advisory Panel, which is listening to the views and aspirations of Kiwi.

"New Zealand has led the way in asking people to have their say about the nation's governance," says Luxton. "This is everyone's opportunity to say what sort of country we want to have in the future."

He sees the Constitution Conversation as important for New Zealand's rural sector. "It is an opportunity for people to consider constitutional arrangements they think need changing, and where the status quo should prevail."

The panel's terms of reference include the scope and status of the Bill of Rights Act 1990, electoral issues, Maori representation, the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitutional arrangements and whether New Zealand should have a written constitution.

"The review is a great opportunity to understand the civics around how we're governed as a country, which is an important aspect of the entire discussion."

Luxton gave a presentation about the Constitutional Conversation to the Rotary Club of Remuera and to a National party annual general meeting for a former electorate he represented. People know he's on the panel but struggle to see the relevance of the constitution to their everyday lives.

"It is difficult to see beyond what will impinge on our rights at the present and many of us think short term rather than long term – getting on with day-to-day living," Luxton says.

"There's excellent material on the website Our Constitution that will assist in raising everyone's knowledge."

Business leaders have debated the pros and cons of lengthening the term of Parliament and if they want to have their views considered by the panel, and passed on to the ministers responsible for the review, they need to make a submission.

People are encouraged to look at constitutional information, host their own workshops or meetings to discuss the topics and develop group or individual submissions.

The website www.ourconstitution.org.nz has resources to assist your conversations and an easy to use submission guide. All New Zealanders are encouraged to be part of the Constitution Conversation.

Resources are also available for groups to host their own constitution conversations and include a facilitator's guide, quizzes and suggested activities to stimulate discussions.

An online bibliography provides a range of expert opinions on New Zealand's constitution.

While all the resources are accessible and can be downloaded from the website, printed material can be ordered by calling 0508 411 411.

For the next five months the panel will listen to a range of views about New Zealand's constitution and encourage people to make submissions.

Submissions on the Constitution Conversation close in July 2013 and can be made online at www.ourconstitution.org.nz, by post or email.

The panel will deliver its final report to ministers by the end of 2013.