The Attorney-General is the government's principal legal adviser in the course of decision-making, with an overriding responsibility to act in the public interest.
The holder of the office has an obligation to act on some matters independently, without the political partisanship sometimes associated with other ministerial offices. The Attorney-General is a political figure who occupies an apolitical role.
He or she also acts as a gatekeeper between the executive (the arm of government responsible for the day-to-day running of the country), Parliament and the judiciary.
A particular responsibility is to protect the judiciary from improper and unfair public criticism: for example, by addressing attacks on judges' decisions and by discouraging other ministers from engaging in improper attacks or criticism. When political and media criticism of the courts or a court decision threatens to undermine public confidence in the courts, at that point the Attorney-General should assert him or herself.
Denne historien er fra November 11 - 17, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 11 - 17, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
