The New Zealand Government has announced plans to introduce legislation that could extend the country’s parliamentary term from three years to four—subject to the outcome of a binding referendum. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed the proposal, emphasising that any change would require both legislative approval and public endorsement.
Legislation and Referendum Process
The proposed legislation, based on the ACT Party’s Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill, does not automatically extend parliamentary terms. Instead, it introduces a mechanism allowing a future government to opt for a four-year term—provided select committee membership is restructured to give greater representation to opposition parties.
Goldsmith stated that the bill would be introduced to Parliament and proceed through the select committee stage, in line with coalition agreements between National, ACT, and New Zealand First. However, he stressed that no decision had been made on whether the bill would progress beyond this stage.
“Given the constitutional significance of the term of Parliament, this change would be subject to the outcome of a binding referendum,” Goldsmith said. He added that a public vote could be held alongside the 2026 General Election, though the final timeline would depend on select committee discussions.
Changes to Select Committees a Key Condition
A significant component of the proposal is a shift in select committee composition. Currently, committee membership is determined by party representation in Parliament, effectively giving the governing coalition control. Under the proposed change, select committee representation would be based on the proportion of non-executive MPs, which would reduce government dominance and provide greater opposition oversight.
Critics argue that New Zealand’s short election cycle forces governments into constant campaign mode, limiting their ability to develop and implement long-term policies. Supporters of the four-year term believe the select committee change is a necessary safeguard to balance increased government stability with stronger parliamentary scrutiny.
Public Opinion and Political Divides
The debate over extending parliamentary terms is not new. New Zealanders have twice rejected similar proposals, with referendums in 1967 and 1990 failing to gain public support. However, recent polling suggests attitudes may be shifting, with a 2020 survey indicating that 61% of respondents supported a four-year term.
BusinessNZ, a leading advocacy group, has been a vocal proponent of the change. Former CEO Katherine Rich previously argued that longer terms would reduce “costly policy flip-flops” that see incoming governments reversing their predecessors’ policies, leading to economic inefficiencies.
Despite this, scepticism remains. Opponents warn that extending the parliamentary term could reduce democratic accountability by limiting voters’ ability to remove ineffective governments. There are also concerns that a longer term could entrench political power, particularly in a system where the executive already wields significant influence.
What Happens Next?
The bill will now go through the select committee process, where public submissions will be considered. While the government has committed to supporting the bill at this stage, it has not guaranteed further progress. The final decision will likely rest on both parliamentary debate and public sentiment leading up to a potential 2026 referendum.