Kiwis - could you explain your new voting system?

[Matilda]

I've just read that Warren Peters has been named Foreign Minister
in the new Clark Government, in spite of being voted out by his
electorate - something to do with the new MMP voting system, which
seems rather extraordinary.

Can someone explain to me how this new voting system works?

[Esra Star]

1. I think its the "Herr Clark(e)" system, and I'm not talking about

Helen's lip.
The system is used in Germany and Tasmania.
I think it approximates democracy better than most voting
systems.

[Generarth]

2. Winston Peters

got defeated in the Tauranga election by the National party member but in the NZ proportional vote there is also the "List" which means if a party such as Peter's gets a certain amount of votes they also get a certain number of seats regardless of whether they win or lose their own electorate. Winston Peters therefore is now NZ foreign minister on the basis of this 'List'.

[NewHampshireDem]

3. Here's a site with some good information

http://www.elections.org.nz/mmp.html

It seems to me that MMP (or AMS--Additional Member System, as it is sometimes called) is a much fairer system that the one we have here in the US, where half the electorate can vote for Democrats and we have so little representation in our government.

Are Kiwis here happy with the results? If I understand correctly, the last elections saw some major gains by both the Maori and small progressive parties.

[Matilda]

5. Thanks for the link.

It seems a bit strange that a guy who wasn't elected can still be
a minister, but I do agree that representation of smaller parties
is a good thing.

It's very rare in Australia for a minor party candidate or an
independent to be elected to the lower house, and they make no
difference unless it's virtually a hung parliament. I think there's
room for change, so may be should be looking at something different.

[emmajane67]

4. Winston lost to a guy who paid for a new stadium,

for his electorate. Not that I think he should have won but, you know.
His party was needed by Labour to make up numbers for a majority, well not wuite a majority, but near enough.
The good bit about MMP is that there is some point in voting for a smaller party, no two horse race, and in forming coalitions, the bigger parties are kept in line and could never get away with the likes of the 4th Labour Government.