Since the length of the parliamentary term is restricted to a maximum of three years, each redistribution applies to, at most, two elections. Redistributions are undertaken by a statutory body known as the Representation Commission. Thus, the political appointees cannot outvote the non-political commissioners. Equal electoral districts. Thus, as far as possible, all votes have approximately the same value.
Decisions are final.
The Representation Commission must publish its final decisions no later than six months after it commences formal deliberations. Once published, the decisions have the force of law and no further changes can be made. Since New Zealand's politicians cannot prevent a redistribution from being implemented, the process is effectively removed from the political arena. Since the chairperson of the local government commission is appointed by the government, he or she does not have a vote. While the original intention was that they would act largely as scrutinisers to satisfy both themselves and their parties that the redistribution process had been conducted fairly and within the established rules, in more recent years they have become much more active participants.