- Niue Assembly
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Niue
This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Niue
The Niue Assembly (Niue Fono Ekepule) is the legislature of Niue. It consists of 20 members, 14 representatives of the villages and 6 elected on a common roll. Members are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a three year term. Niue follows the Westminster system of government, with the Premier elected by the Assembly and the Cabinet drawn from it.
Contents
History
The Assembly is descended from the Island Council established under the Cook Islands Act 1915 (NZ). This was disbanded in 1959 and reconstituted as the Assembly, which was successively granted greater control[1]. The Assembly assumed full law-making power within the constitution upon self-government in 1974.
The Assembly is physically located in Alofi.
Speaker of the Assembly
The Assembly is presided over by a Speaker, elected by its members from outside their ranks. If a member of the Assembly is elected Speaker, they must resign their seat[2]. The Speaker does not vote in proceedings, and does not enjoy a casting vote.
The current Speaker is Atapana Siakimotu from May 1, 2002.
Elections
Elections are held under a simple plurality system, with electors in the fourteen villages electing one member per village by majority vote, and six members from a common roll. Electors must be New Zealand citizens, resident for at least three months, and candidates must have been electors, resident for twelve months.
election results Summary of the 7 June 2008 Niue AssemblyMembers Seats Non-partisan members elected on a common roll 6 Representatives of the villages 14 Total (turnout %) Terms of the Niue Assembly
The Assembly is currently in its 13th term. The 14th Assembly will be elected at the 2011 elections.
Term Elected in Government 13th Assembly 2008 election Non-partisan 14th Assembly 2011 election Legislative Procedures
The power of the Assembly to pass legislation is circumscribed by the constitution. Any member may introduce a bill, but the Assembly may not proceed on bills dealing with financial matters without the consent of the Premier. Bills affecting the criminal law or personal status, the public service or Niuean land may not proceed without a report from the Chief Justice, the Niue Public Service Commission, or an appropriate Commission of Inquiry respectively[3].
A bill becomes law when passed by the Assembly and certified by the Speaker[4]. There is no Royal Assent.
See also
- List of Speakers of the Niue Assembly
References
- ^ Island Territories: Niue Island in Te Ara: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.
- ^ Constitution of Niue, article 20 (3).
- ^ Constitution of Niue, Articles 30 - 33.
- ^ Constitution of Niue, Article 34.
Parliaments of Oceania Sovereign states Dependencies and
other territories- American Samoa
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Cook Islands
- Easter Island
- French Polynesia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Pitcairn Islands
- Tokelau
- Wallis and Futuna
Categories:- Dependency legislatures
- Politics of Niue
- Unicameral legislatures
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