1974 Niuean constitutional referendum
A constitutional referendum was held in Niue on 3 September 1974.[1] The constitution was approved by 65.4% of voters, and came into force on 19 October.[1]
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Niue |
Background
The proposed constitution was drafted by Robert Quentin Quentin-Baxter, a Professor of Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence at Victoria University of Wellington, in consultation with the Niue Assembly.[2] The new constitution would make Niue an autonomous region under the sovereignty of New Zealand; islanders would gain New Zealand citizenship and be able to settle freely in New Zealand.[1] It provided for a 21-member Assembly, consisting of a Speaker and 20 elected members (14 elected from single-member constituencies based on the villages and six from a single island-wide constituency). The Assembly would elected a Premier, who would choose three other members of a four-person Executive Council.[2]
The referendum was approved by the Niue Assembly on 16 July 1974,[1] and the proposed constitution was approved in the New Zealand Parliament through the Niue Amendment Bill and the Niue Constitution Act.[2]
Results
Do you vote for self-government for Niue in free association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and the Niue Constitution Act 1974?[1]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 887 | 65.40 |
| Against | 469 | 34.60 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 28 | – |
| Total | 1,384 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | ||
| Source: Direct Democracy | ||
References
- Niue, 3 September 1974: Constitution Direct Democracy (in German)
- Niue moves to self-government Pacific Islands Monthly, August 1974, p2
