New Zealand Scholarship · Humanities and Critical Analysis

Historical Historiography, Political Philosophy and Constitutional Principles

35 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

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All 35 questions

  1. What fundamental constitutional principle distinguishes New Zealand's unentrenched constitution from that of the United States?
  2. What core difference exists between the English text and the Maori text (Te Tiriti) of Article 1 of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840)?
  3. What landmark 1987 court case established that the Treaty of Waitangi creates an enduring partnership requiring active protection?
  4. In Thomas Hobbes's 'Leviathan', why do rational individuals agree to enter into a social contract?
  5. What was Chief Justice Prendergast's infamous ruling in Wi Parata v Bishop of Wellington (1877)?
  6. In historiography, what is 'Whig history' and why do modern historians criticize it?
  7. What principle did the historic 1976 case Fitzgerald v Muldoon reaffirm regarding the limits of executive power in New Zealand?
  8. What philosophy of passive resistance was practiced at Parihaka in Taranaki under Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi?
  9. In John Locke's 'Second Treatise of Government', what natural rights do individuals retain upon entering political society?
  10. What was the significance of the 1975 Maori Land March led by Dame Whina Cooper?
  11. What voting system was adopted by New Zealand in 1996 following public referendums in 1992 and 1993?
  12. In Marxist historical materialism, what drives fundamental historical epochs and social transformation?
  13. What was the legal effect of the New Zealand Constitution Act 1986?
  14. In Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 'The Social Contract', what does the 'General Will' (volonte generale) represent?
  15. What was the Kingitanga (Maori King Movement) established in the 1850s primarily designed to achieve?
  16. In historiography, what is the 'Annales School' renowned for pioneering?
  17. What is the status of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA) within the legal hierarchy?
  18. What constitutional concept is articulated in A.V. Dicey's definition of the 'Rule of Law'?
  19. How did the Native Land Court (established by Acts of 1862 and 1865) facilitate Maori land alienation?
  20. In political philosophy, what is John Stuart Mill's 'Harm Principle' as formulated in 'On Liberty'?
  21. What was the outcome of the 1863 New Zealand Settlements Act enacted during the New Zealand Wars?
  22. In political theory, what constitutes Montesquieu's doctrine of the 'Separation of Powers'?
  23. What major historical reinterpretation did James Belich introduce in his 1986 book 'The New Zealand Wars'?
  24. What is the function of the Waitangi Tribunal established by the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975?
  25. In constitutional conventions, what is the role of the Governor-General of New Zealand?
  26. In political philosophy, what is John Rawls's 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment designed to determine?
  27. What was the significance of the 1893 Electoral Act in New Zealand?
  28. What is the doctrine of 'parliamentary privilege' and why is it essential to representative democracy?
  29. What was the core goal of the 1984-1990 'Rogernomics' economic reforms led by Finance Minister Roger Douglas?
  30. In international law, what is 'jus cogens'?
  31. What was the impact of the 1981 Springbok Tour on New Zealand civil society?
  32. What is the role of an 'Ombudsman' within the New Zealand constitutional framework?
  33. In political theory, what constitutes Isaiah Berlin's distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' liberty?
  34. What historical significance did the 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act have in triggering modern Maori land activism?
  35. What is the doctrine of 'collective ministerial responsibility' in the New Zealand Cabinet system?

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