I’ve noticed people’s eyes glaze over when I mention the word ‘constitution’. Many people don’t know we have a constitution at all. What happens then, if we frame this conversation around people sharing their aspirations, their ideas and hopes for the future?
On the land we’re concerned with this year’s weather and prices, this year’s climate so far as it affects our businesses. Nationally our discussions are often limited to thinking in terms of the three-year parliamentary cycle. But as the co-chair of the Constitutional Advisory Panel, Sir Tipene O’Regan, has said, we’re getting better at projecting ahead. He used the example of how we’ve come on board, as a country, with a national superannuation programme that commits us all to saving for our futures.
You’ve probably thought about farm development for the future, and about your family’s future, and what you want for them. Our conversation about the constitution isn’t so far away from that – what’s working, what isn’t, and how could we improve it?
Our constitution has been described by some commentators as a road map, a declaration of how we want to move forward as a country. Others have said it’s difficult to see how the constitution is relevant in our day-to-day lives. There’s no doubt it’s relevant: the constitution determines who exercises power and the checks and balances on that power. It also protects people’s rights.
The panel wants to hear your views on:
1. The pros and cons of having our constitution written down in a single document.
2. The role of the Bill of Rights Act 1990 in our constitution.
3. The role of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitution.
4. Maori representation in local and national government.
5. Electoral issues, such as the size of the Parliament and length of its term.
If you’re happy with the status quo, it’s just as vital for you to make a submission. If you don’t, then a reasonable assumption is that you’re happy with the outcome, whatever it is. Making a submission is just as important as casting your vote in the parliamentary elections.
A group of young people met in Wellington recently to ask questions about the constitution. They began by thinking about their favourite things about New Zealand – ranging from pure water and clean beaches to whitebait, and the fact that we’re small enough to have an active, national debate about how we might prepare for the future. They talked about what was most important to them, and following on from that, what sort of constitution would encompass those values they held dear – from job security for young people, and specialist education for disabled people, through to Treaty of Waitangi issues, and the feeling that New Zealand can be home to people from many nations.
What are the things that you want to protect? What about the Treaty of Waitangi, where does it belong? Inside the constitution, or an umbrella over it? Or elsewhere?
The website www.ourconstitution.org.nz has resources and an easy-to-use submission guide. All the resources are available free of charge through the website or you may prefer to order the printed material by phoning 0508 411 411. We also have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheConstitutionConversation, where you can find out what others are saying. Submissions must be in by July 1.
Footnote:
As well as being a member of the government-appointed Constitutional Advisory Panel, Hon John Luxton is chair of DairyNZ and has farming interests supplying Fonterra, Westland and Tatua. He’s a former Minister of Agriculture, was a cabinet minister for nine years, and spent seven years in international agricultural consulting. As a farmer he was an A.C. Cameron award winner. He is a trustee of the Massey University Foundation, and is co-chair of the Waikato River Authority.
