Story: Constitution

The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta

New Zealand's constitution includes statutes passed in the UK before New Zealand became independent. Some of the clauses of the Magna Carta, a 13th-century document which, among other things, described limitations on the monarch's authority and some of the rights and freedoms of the populace, remain in law. This is a copy of the 1297 version on public display in Parliament House, Canberra, Australia.

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Flickr: NickHodge's photostream
Photograph by Nick Hodge

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How to cite this page:

Matthew Palmer, 'Constitution - What is a constitution?', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/35880/the-magna-carta (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Matthew Palmer, published 20 Jun 2012