Bridled Power, and its predecessor Unbridled Power, have provided a guide to New Zealand's constitutional system for more than 20 years. This new edition is updated to reflect New Zealand's experience of the MMP system of proportional representation and includes:
• Elections and formation of governments
• The Governor-General and prospects of becoming a republic
• How Executive Government works, and should work
• How Parliament works, and should work
• How laws are made
• The checks on government, including the Treaty of Waitangi

This book is a clear and straightforward account of how New Zealand's system of government works in practice and in principle. It will be of value to anyone interested in government, as well as to judges, law practitioners, academics, government departments and politicians, and law and political science students.

Part I — Government
Chapter 1: New Zealand’s System of Government
Chapter 2: Elections
Chapter 3: Forming and Ending Governments
Chapter 4: The Monarchy: Will New Zealand Become a Republic?
Chapter 5: The Prime Minister, Cabinet and Ministerial Responsibility

Part II — Executive Government
Chapter 6: The Public Service and Crown Entities
Chapter 7: Public Finance

Part III — Parliament
Chapter 8: MPs and Other Parliamentary Inhabitants
Chapter 9: What Happens in Parliament
Chapter 10: Legislation
Chapter 11: Regulations and Red Tape

Part IV — Restraints on Government
Chapter 12: Public Opinion and Information
Chapter 13: Local Government
Chapter 14: Avenues for Complaint
Chapter 15: The Courts
Chapter 16: The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act
Chapter 17: The Treaty of Waitangi
Chapter 18: International Law

Part V — Future Government
Chapter 19: Where Next?

Appendix: (A Possible) Constitution Act of New Zealand

Index