Government

New Zealand’s political system operates a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, meaning each voter selects their local Member of Parliament and their party of choice. Coalitions are the norm - currently the government is lead by Prime Minister, Hon. Helen Clark, leader of the Labour Party. Locally, New Zealand is served with regional and local councils - Territorial Local Authorities. In Auckland there are seven local councils and a regional council.

Regulation and Legislation

New Zealand has an exemplary reputation as being free of corruption, and focused on ease of doing business. New Zealand has historically lead the way in policy development including innovations such as personal tax bands pegged to inflation.
An introductory guide to doing business in New Zealand, including key pieces of legislation, is available - Doing Business in New Zealand.
AucklandPlus can assist you by providing information on regulation and legislation specific to setting up a business in Auckland - contact us

Origins of New Zealand System

New Zealand is a sovereign constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations with Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. The Governor General, Judge Anand Satyanand, whose role is largely ceremonial, represents the Queen in New Zealand. New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840 between Lieutenant Governor William Hobson and the indigenous Maori people.