1992 Niuean constitutional referendum

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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]

Results[]

1992 Niuean constitutional referendum
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 604 70.40
No 254 29.60
Valid votes 858 96.30
Invalid or blank votes 33 3.70
Total votes 891 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 1,036 86.00
Source: Niue: Review of Constitution

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]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Niue: General Information Secretariat of the Pacific Community
  2. ^ Initial reports submitted by State parties under articles 16 and 17 of the covenant United Nations
  3. ^ "OIA 28392 Review of constitution 15 June 1992" (PDF). fyi.org.nz. 15 June 1992. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Pacific Constitutions - Overview Archived 2012-03-05 at the Wayback Machine University of French Polynesia
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