In 1993, a majority of voters rejected the longstanding first-past-the-post electoral system in favour of the mixed member proportional (MMP) system – a form of proportional representation never before used in New Zealand. With more than a decade having passed since the first MMP election in 1996, this book examines the impact of proportional representation on New Zealand’s constitution. It considers how the constraints of multi-party politics have curtailed executive power and strengthened the role of parliament.

To understand the extent of this change, Ryan Malone explores the difficulties that coalition and minority governments have in controlling government bills compared with single-party governments under first-past-the-post. He pays particular attention to the legislative implications of the government formation process, inter-party competition over policy, the growing independence of select committees, and the general slowing of the parliamentary legislative process.

This highly readable book provides numerous insights into the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. It will appeal to the specialised reader, as well as to people with a general interest in politics and parliamentary law-making.