Consideration of Constitutional Issues

Terms of Reference for the Consideration of Constitutional Issues and the Constitutional Advisory Panel

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Māori Affairs will jointly lead a consideration of constitutional issues.

Constitutional Advisory Panel

The Ministers have appointed an independent Constitutional Advisory Panel to:

stimulate public interest in, and awareness of, New Zealand's constitutional arrangements and issues arising.
establish a forum to develop and share a range of ideas on constitutional issues, including seeking the views of all New Zealanders, including Maori, in a manner that is reflective of the Treaty of Waitangi relationship.
develop an understanding of the range of perspectives on New Zealand's constitutional arrangements, including the range of topical issues requiring further discussion, debate and policy consideration.

The Panel will report in 2013 to the responsible Ministers, who will then report to Cabinet.

Members of the Panel

The members of the Panel are:

Further information about Panel members

Emeritus Professor John Burrows QC (Co-chair)
Sir Tipene O'Regan (Co-chair)
Peter Chin
Deborah Coddington
Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Hon John Luxton
Bernice Mene
Dr Leonie Pihama
Hinurewa Poutu
Prof Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Peter Tennent
Emeritus Professor Dr Ranginui Walker

Contact the secretariat

The Constitutional Advisory Panel is supported by a secretariat led by the Ministry of Justice.

The Panel will provide regular updates to a Cross-party Reference Group of Members of Parliament. The members of the group are: