1974 Niuean constitutional referendum
A constitutional referendum was held in Niue on 3 September 1974. The constitution was approved by 65.4% of voters, and came into force on 19 October.Background
The proposed constitution was drafted by Robert Quentin Quentin-Baxter, a Professor of Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence at Victoria University of Wellington, in consultation with the Niue Assembly. The new constitution would make Niue an autonomous region under the sovereignty of New Zealand; islanders would gain New Zealand citizenship and be able to settle freely in New Zealand. It provided for a 21-member Assembly, consisting of a Speaker and 20 elected members. The Assembly would elected a Premier, who would choose three other members of a four-person Executive Council.
The referendum was approved by the Niue Assembly on 16 July 1974, and the proposed constitution was approved in the New Zealand Parliament through the Niue Amendment Bill and the Niue Constitution Act.Results
Do you vote for self-government for Niue in free association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and the Niue Constitution Act 1974?
