1997 New Zealand pensions referendum

1997 New Zealand pensions referendum

26 September 1997

Do you support the proposed compulsory retirement savings scheme?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 163,209 8.23%
No 1,820,403 91.77%
Valid votes 1,983,612 99.75%
Invalid or blank votes 4,938 0.25%
Total votes 1,988,550 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,475,220 80.34%

A referendum on introducing a compulsory retirement savings scheme was held in New Zealand on 26 September 1997. The question put in the referendum was "Do you support the proposed compulsory retirement savings scheme?" The proposal was rejected by 92% of voters, with a turnout of 80%.[1]

The design of the proposed savings scheme and the referendum were a result of the coalition agreement between the National Party and New Zealand First following the 1996 general elections. The referendum was set up by the Compulsory Retirement Savings Scheme Referendum Act 1997.[2]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For163,2098.23
Against1,820,40391.77
Total1,983,612100.00
Valid votes1,983,61299.75
Invalid/blank votes4,9380.25
Total votes1,988,550100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,475,22080.34
Source: Nohlen et al.

References

  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p724 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. ^ Preston, David A. (November 1997). "The compulsory retirement savings scheme referendum of 1997". Social Policy Journal of New Zealand (9). Retrieved 3 December 2011.