Abstract
With a different form of government, New Zealand’s approach to legal rights for mentally retarded persons remains different from that of the United States. In New Zealand, the political arenas are smaller and primarily involve the parliament, some national agencies, and the local government hospital boards. With a federal system of government, the United States is influenced by more political factors. New Zealand’s more limited political arena accounts for the very prominent role of the New Zealand Society for the Intellectually Handicapped which is partially funded by the national government. However, the legislative approach in New Zealand remains long and arduous. Legislative changes currently being sought include adult guardianship, education rights, separate commitment legislation from the Mental Health Act, and employment rights. The judicial arena has proved a quicker route for establishing rights in the U.S.
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