Legal provisions for optional referendums at national level

Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000;

(Enacted on 14 November 2000)

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0048/latest/DLM73881.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_postal_resel_25_h&p=1

Electoral Act 1993

(Enacted in 17August 1993, last amended in 1 July 2012)

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM307519.html

Electoral Regulations 1996

(6 May 1996)

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0093/latest/DLM209678.html

New Zealand, inheriting the UK/Westminster model, has no codified Constitution providing for direct democracy mechanisms.

Government-initiated referenda conducted by postal vote are governed by the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000.

Government-initiated referenda conducted other than by postal vote may be held, but must be authorised and governed by specific, ad-hoc enabling legislation.