The History of Voting Rights for Foreigners in New Zealand

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  • Yamamoto Eiji
    PhD candidate, The Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University

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  • ニュージーランドにおける外国人参政権の歴史
  • ニュージーランド ニ オケル ガイコク ニンジン セイケン ノ レキシ

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In this essay, we will make a comparative assessment of the electoral systems of Japan and New Zealand and the respective right of foreigners to vote. The last general election in New Zealand was held in 2011. Every citizen of New Zealand enjoys the right to vote under Section 12 (a) of BORA. Advocating similar provisions for suffrage, Article 15 of the Japanese Constitution states that the selection and dismissal of public officials are the inherent rights of the people. Section 2 of Article 93 also mentions that the tenure of local governments and other official members of the Congress are established by law, that is, the residents of the country elect their representatives to direct them. Comparing with New Zealand, which grants the right to vote to 'citizens' above 18, not only 'permanent residents' but also 'non-permanent residents' are recognized as "foreigners" and do not grant voting rights in Japan. In this paper, by comparing the rights of foreigners to vote in Japan and New Zealand, the author will describe the legal history related to domestic legislation of the voting rights in New Zealand.

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