Gareth Morgan proposes Swiss-style power sharing to make MMP work

Summarised by Centrist

Gareth Morgan says New Zealand should abolish the office of prime minister and replace the current government-and-opposition system with a Swiss-style power-sharing executive.

Morgan argues MMP has been placed beneath a Westminster system designed for two competing blocs. This allows minor parties to become the “tail wagging the dog” while Labour- and National-led governments repeatedly reverse one another’s policies.

His proposed alternative would give New Zealand two elected chambers with broadly equal power. One would reflect each party’s nationwide support, while the other would represent regions or districts. Either chamber could block legislation.

Executive power would sit with a seven-member council elected by both chambers rather than with a prime minister and Cabinet. Seats would be shared among the main parliamentary parties. Based on the present Parliament, Morgan suggests National and Labour might receive two members each, with one each from the Greens, ACT and New Zealand First.

Decisions would be made collectively by majority vote, with all seven members then publicly supporting the agreed position. Leadership would rotate annually.

Morgan also wants greater use of direct democracy. Switzerland conducts extensive consultation before passing major legislation, including with regional governments, parties, businesses, unions and affected organisations.

Citizens can then force recently passed legislation to a binding public vote by gathering 50,000 signatures within 100 days. Morgan argues this threat encourages governments to address objections before legislation is finalised and allows voters to overturn unpopular decisions.

He describes New Zealand’s combination of MMP and Westminster government as “half-baked” and says further reform could produce more stable policies, broader collaboration and greater public accountability.

Morgan also challenges Opportunity to remain independent rather than entering a conventional coalition after the election. He warns that joining either bloc could leave it unable to vote freely and reduce it to the “puppy” of an establishment party, undermining TOP’s original purpose.

Read more at Newsroom

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