1992 Niuean constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Niue on 13 June 1992.[1] The proposed amendments to the constitution were the first since the country's original constitution was approved in a 1974 referendum.[1] The changes were approved by 70.4% of voters, and came into force on 1 July.[2][3]

1992 Niuean constitutional referendum
13 June 1992
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 604 70.40%
No 254 29.60%
Valid votes 858 96.30%
Invalid or blank votes 33 3.70%
Total votes 891 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,036 86%
Politics of Niue
Dalton Tagelagi
Speaker: Hima Douglas

Proposed changes

The changes to the constitution included the introduction of the Niuean High Court and Court of Appeal, replacing the use of the equivalent courts in New Zealand.[4] The reforms also abolished the Niue Land Court and the Niue Land Appeal Court, instead creating a Land Division in the new High Court.[4]

Qualifications for political candidates were amended to require New Zealand citizenship.[4] It also removed article 31, a requirement for the Chief Justice to approve any legislative proposal that would affect criminal law or personal status.[4] This effectively removed the human rights element of the constitution.[4]

Results
1992 Niuean constitutional referendum
Choice Votes  %
Referendum passed Yes 604 70.40
No 254 29.60
Valid votes 858 96.30
Invalid or blank votes 33 3.70
Total votes 891 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,036 86.00
Source: Niue: Review of Constitution

Aftermath

Following the approval of the changes, there was subsequent criticism that the individual changes should have been voted on separately, as well as of the removal of article 31.[4]

References
  1. Niue: General Information Secretariat of the Pacific Community
  2. Initial reports submitted by State parties under articles 16 and 17 of the covenant United Nations
  3. "OIA 28392 Review of constitution 15 June 1992" (PDF). fyi.org.nz. 15 June 1992. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  4. Pacific Constitutions - Overview Archived 2012-03-05 at the Wayback Machine University of French Polynesia
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