Matthew SR Palmer is a judge of the High Court of New Zealand. He has previously held positions as a senior public servant and as Dean of Law at Victoria University of Wellington. He is an expert in New Zealand public law.

Useful both for scholars of the New Zealand constitution, and comparative constitutional law scholars.

1. New Zealand Constitutionalism
I. Introduction
II. Constitutional Essence
III. Constitutional Perspective
IV. Constitutional Culture
V. Constitutional Dialogue
VI. Conclusion
Further Reading

2. Aotearoa New Zealand
I. Introduction
II. Maori and Pakeha
III. He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni: The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand
IV. Te Tiriti o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi
V. Assertion of British Sovereignty
VI. Conclusion
Further Reading

3. Head of State and the Crown
I. Introduction
II. Sovereign as Head of State
III. Governor-General as De Facto Head of State
IV. Governor-General's Functions and Powers
V. Executive Council
VI. The Crown in Law
VII. Conclusion
Further Reading

4. Democratic Government
I. Introduction
II. Representative Government: An Elected House
III. Responsible Government: A Parliamentary Ministry
IV. Conclusion
Further Reading

5. Executive
I. Introduction
II. Cabinet Government
III. Prime Minister and Ministers
IV. Public Service
V. Wider State Sector 0
VI. Public Finance and Managerialism
VII. Conclusion
Further Reading

6. Parliament
I. Introduction
II. Parliamentary Institutions
III. Parliamentary Functions
IV. Parliamentary Dynamics under MMP
V. Legislative Supremacy and its Limits
VI. Conclusion
Further Reading

7. Judiciary
I. Introduction
II. The Rule of Law and Forms of Law
III. The Judiciary as an Institution
IV. Judicial Independence and Accountability
V. Conclusion
Further Reading

8. Accountability and Transparency
I. Introduction
II. Accountability
III. Transparency
IV. Conclusion
Further Reading

9. Human Rights
I. Introduction
II. New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
III. Fundamental Rights and the Common Law
IV. Other Statutory Rights Protections
V. Conclusion
Further Reading

10. Te Tiriti o Waitangi
I. Introduction
II. A Brief History of the Status of Te Tiriti
III. Te Tiriti in the Constitution Today
IV. Conclusion
Further Reading

11. Local and Global Governance
I. Introduction
II. Local Government
III. Maori Governance
IV. Non-State Bodies and the Private Sector
V. Global Institutions and International Relationships
VI. Conclusion
Further Reading

12. Constitutional Futures
I. Introduction
II. A Written Constitution?
III. A Maori-centred Nation State?
IV. A New Zealand Head of State?
V. Pragmatic Tinkering?
VI. Enhanced Protection of Rights?
VII. Localism versus Globalism?
VIII. Conclusion
Further Reading