Auckland District Court

The building on your right is the largest courthouse in Australasia. It’s one of the key political buildings in Auckland’s financial center, as major judicial decisions are made here. We should introduce you to New Zealand’s political system—just the main points, don’t worry. The country, often called the “land of the Kiwis,” is part of the Commonwealth, an organisation of states that were once part of the British Empire. Established by the London Declaration of 1949, the Commonwealth unites these states as free and equal partners who share common language, history, and values. Since New Zealand is a member, its head of state is King Charles III of England, who is represented here by a Governor-General. The Governor-General appoints a Prime Minister who holds executive power. This makes New Zealand a constitutional monarchy. Legislative power is exercised by the House of Representatives, which consists of 71 members elected by the people. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote, followed by Australia and then Finland. In any case, New Zealand’s political system is generally quite similar to that of the United Kingdom.