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A referendum on MMP will be held in conjunction with the 2011 general election.
Voters will be asked if they wish to change the voting system from MMP and will be asked what alternative they would prefer from a list of options.
If a majority of voters opt to dump MMP, there will be a second referendum at the 2014 general election to decide the alternative voting system. This will be a contest between MMP and the alternative voting system that receives the most votes in the first referendum.
Justice Minister Simon Power says the result of the second referendum will be binding.
Power says cabinet will be deciding over the next few months the precise wording of the first referendum and the alternative voting systems to put up.
"If a majority of voters prefer the alternative voting system to MMP, the 2017 general election will be held under the alternative voting system," he says.
The first referendum will be the opportunity for voters to review the voting system and decide if they want to keep it, Power says.
He says five general elections have been held under MMP and it's timely to consider how the system has worked.
Holding the first referendum at the same time as the 2011 election will ensure a high voter turnout, which is important to ensure the legitimacy of the referendum result, he says.
If a majority of voters opt for a change from MMP, there will be plenty of time for public discussion on the merits of MMP versus the preferred alternative system before the second referendum, the minister says.
"The government wants to ensure New Zealanders have time to consider all the issues fully before making their decision."
Power on Monday morning briefed all other political parties on the government's decision.
A bill empowering the first referendum will be introduced into parliamment in early 2010.
The bill will include the two questions to be asked in the first referendum, including a question on what alternative voting systems voters would prefer, which they will be able to choose from a list of options.
Power says there will be time for the public to comment on the
bill at the select committee stage of the bill's progress.
"We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have their
say on this significant constitutional issue."
The referendum won't come cheap however. The move is estimated to cost $23 million.
Early indications
A poll of 500 people done by Research New Zealand in September found that 45% were in favour of retaining MMP, 42% were against and 13% were unsure.
The poll was conducted between September 8 and 10 and has a margin of error of 4.5%.
At the time National confirmed it would honour its election pledge to hold a referendum on MMP.
Are you happy with MMP or will you be looking for a change? Have your say on our messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentaxtrics1 said on 2010-02-16 @ 23:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
John Key's what a DICTATOR. No matter what the NZ people decide he is going to change MMP. What a waste of money just like the No Smacking. A lot of New Zealanders ask for it to be changed & he said no. A lot of New Zealanders Complained about the changers to ACC & he still went ahead with it. WHEN is he going to lesson to the people who put him in office????? He WON'T be in power next year because he keeps taking more money off us that we don't have. John Key's time for relatively check.
jimmy12 said on 2009-10-21 @ 11:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
Cummon guys people are alowed to have different viewpoints and MMP is a whole lot better than anything else at achieving that. Remember back in the day when 20 odd percent of the country voted for social credit and they got all of a couple of seats. Remember how the anti-MMP campaign was funded by the rich guys who want nothing more than being able to get obedient politicians, ready to privitize everything. Everybody needs to watch the Vote or Die eppisode of South Park
SEVE said on 2009-10-21 @ 08:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
More millions of our taxes `flushed' down the drain for nothing!! If there was one change I would make is abolish the Maori Party as its the only Party that is `Race' based therefore is racist because its all about Maori this and Maori that. Also abolish the anti smacking bill and bring back corporal punishment in schools as that is where all the problems START. NZ is to soft and PC and will NEVER change unless we get tough!
leistrella said on 2009-09-07 @ 22:48 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Government wants to cut costs - easy - just reduce the number of politicians!! We don't need the huge number we have, with their huge expenses. It should be just one vote for your local MP and that's it!!! i.e. no Party vote.
leistrella said on 2009-09-07 @ 22:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think we should get rid of MMP. We've tried it and in my view it is not working - the minor coalition parties, seem to be able to hold the Government to ransom and have far more power than people voted for them.