Plain-language definitions

Election and policy glossary

Open a term when a policy uses an acronym or a New Zealand-specific rule. Definitions explain the term without judging the policy.

Voting and results

Terms used when votes are cast, counted and converted into seats.

MMP

Mixed-member proportional representation. The party vote largely sets each qualifying party's total seats, while electorate votes choose local MPs.

Also appears as: mixed-member proportional representation

Overhang

Extra seats created when a party wins more electorates than its party-vote share would normally provide.

Special vote

A vote that needs an extra declaration and checking, often because the voter is not on the printed roll or votes outside their electorate.

Government and constitutional practice

Terms used when parties form a government and public institutions exercise authority.

Confidence and supply

An agreement to support a government on confidence votes and budgets without necessarily joining the government.

Also appears as: confidence-and-supply

Caretaker convention

The existing government continues with restrained decision-making while election results or government formation remain unresolved.

Also appears as: caretaker government

Cabinet Manual

The government's guide to constitutional practice and Cabinet procedure. It records important conventions but is not an Act of Parliament.

Treaty of Waitangi

The 1840 agreement signed by the Crown and many Māori rangatira. Its Māori and English texts differ and remain central to public law and policy.

Also appears as: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Tiriti

Policy and programme terms

Common abbreviations and technical terms found in party policy.

NCEA

National Certificate of Educational Achievement, the main secondary school qualification used in New Zealand.

Also appears as: National Certificate of Educational Achievement

Three strikes

A sentencing policy that applies escalating consequences to repeated serious offending. The exact rules depend on the law in force.

Split gas target

A climate target that treats long-lived gases such as carbon dioxide separately from short-lived biogenic methane.

Also appears as: split gas, split-gas

Emissions Trading Scheme

A system that puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions through tradable units. New Zealand often shortens the name to ETS.

Also appears as: ETS

Median wage

The middle wage in a measured group: half earn more and half earn less. Some visa rules use it as a threshold.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

A temporary visa that lets an eligible person work for an accredited New Zealand employer in an approved job.

Also appears as: AEWV

Skilled Migrant Category

A residence pathway for eligible skilled workers who meet the immigration rules in force.

Also appears as: SMC

Residence-class visa

A New Zealand resident visa or permanent resident visa. It is different from a temporary work, student or visitor visa.

Also appears as: residence class visa, residence-class visas

Mātauranga Māori

Māori knowledge and ways of understanding built through whakapapa, culture, observation and lived experience.

Also appears as: matauranga Maori