5,287,480 people
Source: Tyranny Tracker
HRF classifies New Zealand as democratic.
Strong in its democratic institutions, New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of the National Party. Legislative power is vested in the House of Representatives, whose members are elected for three-year terms. While the British King Charles III is the formal head of state, he is represented by a governor-general, who has limited authority.
National elections are largely free and fair. The country regularly undergoes peaceful power transfers between the largest and oldest political parties, Labour and National – each winning elections with slim margins that require them to form a coalition with minor parties to govern. The Electoral Commission (EC), in charge of administering the elections, ensures independent electoral oversight. Nevertheless, loose regulations around private donations are feared to benefit right-leaning parties unfairly.
Independent media, political leaders, civil society leaders, organizations, and regular people are largely free to openly criticize or challenge the government. The media landscape is vibrant, and civil society is rich. The government formulates and enforces speech laws with considerable restraint. However, it took particularly stern action against nationwide anti-vaccine protests that took place amid the surge of the coronavirus pandemic and turned violent.
Institutions are independent and largely serve as effective checks on the government. The judiciary checks the government in election and dissent-related cases.
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