New Zealand constitution : an analysis in terms of principles / Bruce Harris.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction to the New Zealand system of government and how it may helpfully viewed through a series of principles -- 2. The principle of the rule of law -- 3. The principle of legislative, executive and judicial respect for the Treaty of Waitangi -- 4. The principle that Parliament and the executive government are democratically elected -- 5. The principle of the continuing supreme law-making of Parliament -- 6. The principle that Parliament controls the raising of taxes, government borrowing and the spending of public money -- 7. The principle that Parliament is free to manage itself -- 8. The principle the the Governor-General normally acts on the advice of ministers -- 9. The principle that the executive functions of government are carried out by multifarious offices and agencies -- 10. The principle that the operation of a sound system of government demands positive law enabling the executive to deal with emergencies -- 11. The principle that the executive government is accountable to Parliament through the Ministers of the Crown -- 12. The principle that the courts may oversee government action through judicial review -- 13. The principle that the executive government is accountable through the integrity branch of government -- 14. The principle that the judicial branch of government is independent of the other branches and free from the influence of other bodies and individuals in society -- 15. The principle that the courts are accountable for the exercise of their powers -- 16. The principle that all aspects of the New Zealand system of government are subject to the expectation of compliance with the Bill of Rights Act -- 17. The principle that international law increasingly influences the design and operation of the domestic constitutional law structure -- 18. Possible future development of the New Zealand constitution.

"Written by constitutional law specialist Bruce Harris, New Zealand Constitution An Analysis in Terms of Principles, is a unique commentary on New Zealand's unwritten constitution. The book, is written around sixteen fundamental principles, on which, in the author's view, the New Zealand constitution is built. The commentary on each principle is used to explain, analyse and critique the complex system of law and conventions that make up the constitution. The objective is to ensure that readers understand the New Zealand constitution as providing the foundation for an integrated system of stable government and an ordered society. This systematic approach to explaining the architecture of the constitution, is based on the author's more than forty years of experience of teaching and researching New Zealand constitutional law. The result is not only a clearly written and highly accessible text explaining the fundamentals of the New Zealand system of government, but also an indispensable learning tool for law students studying public law, political studies students, legal practitioners, judges, members of parliament, persons working in government and members of the community generally."--Publisher's website.