2020 New Zealand general election & referendums (17 October)

[Gary JG]

France used to have seven year terms for their presidency - that's pretty unthinkable these days.

UK and predecessors have had varying maximum terms for Parliaments. Extracted from the Wikipedia article on Triennial Acts.

"Under the Triennial Act 1694, also known as the Meeting of Parliament Act 1694 (6 & 7 Will. & Mar. c. 2), Parliament met annually and held general elections once every three years. The country now remained in a grip of constant election fever (ten elections in twenty years) and loyalties among MPs were difficult to establish, which increased partisanship and rivalry in Parliament. This state of political instability is often known as the 'Rage of Party'. In 1716, the Septennial Act was passed, under which a parliament could remain in being for up to seven years. This Act ushered in a period of greater stability in British politics, with long-lasting parliaments and governments typical throughout much of the 18th century."

The seven year maximum term was reduced to the modern five year one in 1911.

[Gary JG]

Curious if there's any reason why the South Island is restricted to exactly 16 seats while the North Island's number can vary. Is the population size and distribution really that much more dynamic?

South Island had the larger population in much of the 19th century, but its relative share of the New Zealand population has been falling since. Extract from the 1990 edition of the New Zealand Official Yearbook.

"The initial alluvial gold rushes had ended by the 1870s. However, after a short lull high levels of immigration were maintained, bolstered by Vogel's assisted passage scheme. From 1867 the proportion of the total population resident in the North Island began to steadily increase. A strengthening economic base and suppression of Maori opposition to land alienation made the prospect of settling in the North Island more attractive. Farming in the North Island became increasingly feasible and profitable with innovations in agricultural methods and, in particular, the development of refrigeration. Large estates were also being broken up by the 1890s and this contributed to more intensive settlement. The greater opportunities seemingly available ensured that the North Island became the usual destination chosen by both external and internal migrants. At the same time the South Island lost people due to migration and the North Island population experienced a higher rate of natural increase. By 1901 these factors resulted in the population of the North Island again exceeding that of the South Island.

Since that time the North Island's population has continued to expand at a greater rate, and its share of the total population has continued to grow. A little over 60 percent of the population resided in the North Island by 1916. This figure rose to 70 percent by 1966 and to over 73 percent by 1986.

From the 1940s the centre of gravity of the North Island population has itself gradually moved further north."