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Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand

By Geoffrey Palmer
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Brief Description
Published ahead of the 2026 NZ General Election, this book by Sir Geoffrey Palmer invites public scrutiny of how Parliament wields its powers. Parliamentary privilege is 'the oil of the democratic machine'. It can be defined as the special legal powers that allow Parliament to regulate... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Published ahead of the 2026 NZ General Election, this book by Sir Geoffrey Palmer invites public scrutiny of how Parliament wields its powers.

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Published ahead of the 2026 NZ General Election, this book by Sir Geoffrey Palmer invites public scrutiny of how Parliament wields its powers.

Parliamentary privilege is 'the oil of the democratic machine'. It can be defined as the special legal powers that allow Parliament to regulate its affairs - and is a curious mix of history, parliamentary practice, law and politics. 'However, it is also viscous and volatile,' writes Palmer, 'and should not be left to sit too long without change.'

This incisive book examines how parliamentary privilege operates in New Zealand, and where change is needed. Palmer traces its evolution and shows how reform has lagged behind that of comparable democracies such as Canada.

With his characteristic clarity and frankness, Palmer calls for greater transparency, fairness and consistency in how Parliament exercises its powers. Such changes are essential if we are to protect individual rights and democratic integrity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781776923168

Publisher: Te Herenga Waka University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 February 2026

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Te Herenga Waka University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 148.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 128

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About the Author

Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer KC is a Distinguished Fellow at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Law, and a Global affiliated professor at the University of Iowa, College of Law. In Parliament he held the offices of Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, Leader of the House, Minister for the Environment, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister. Since leaving politics in 1990 he has been a foundation partner of a law firm, President of the Law Commission, chair of the Legislation Design Committee (2006-2008), New Zealand's Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission, and chair of the Panel of Inquiry on the 31 May 2010 Flotilla Incident for the United Nations in New York, amongst many other distinguished appointments. His previous book is the bestseller How to Save Democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand (2025).

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