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- Engage-in-Brief: 7 April 2025
Engage-in-Brief: 7 April 2025
Holly Bennett
April 07, 2025
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TWO TRICKS TO TRY
Everyone in New Zealand has an electorate MP, and it’s their job to represent you in Parliament, even if you didn’t vote for them. So it’s important they know what issues you care about — which means you’ve got to tell them! Most electorate MPs offer regular chances for their constituents to catch up with them, so check your MP’s social media (or the local newspaper) to find out when your next opportunity is, then go along and kōrero about something that matters to you.
The process of petitioning the Government is quite long and involved, so before you decide to start one, it’s a good idea to understand what a petition can achieve. Parliament’s Petitions Committee can make recommendations to the Government, and the Government is required to respond in some way — although that doesn’t mean they need to do what the petition asks. The response will usually explain what the Government is planning to do, or explain why they won’t be doing what was asked. You can find Government petition responses here.
ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW
One of Parliament’s most critical jobs is holding the Government to account for its actions, through examining legislation, scrutinising public spending, and questioning Ministers during Question Time.
One of the most effective tools that Parliament has to support this work is its Officers. The Officers of Parliament are the Auditor-General, the Ombudsman, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, all independent agents who report to Parliament — not to the Government.
By remaining independent, the Officers can scrutinise Government actions and decisions without political interference, and ensure that all their reports and recommendations are grounded in evidence. Ultimately, this leads to better accountability, more transparent governance, and increased public trust in Government.
Each of the three Officers has a different focus, but all of them regularly publish reports, information, and details about the work that they have done for Parliament. They also frequently make submissions to select committees on proposed legislation. Reading these publications and submissions is an excellent way to get insights about the Government from a team of unbiased experts.
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FROM OUR TAUIRA
Before the session, our company was lost. We weren't able to recognise when our government relations were going good or going bad, let alone understand the reasons behind the outcomes. Thanks to Holly and the LOBBYLITE course, we now have much more clarity around our mistakes and how we can turn our failures into successes moving forward. It personally opened my eyes to how simple government relations can be with the right advice and resources, and strongly recommend the course to anyone who wants to engage with the government in an effective way.
ONE FUNNY THING
The Speaker of the House is often called the referee of Parliament, as their role is to make sure that the House follows the Standing Orders (otherwise known as Parliament’s rulebook). But in many ways, their job is also a bit like being a teacher in an unruly classroom. The current Speaker, Rt Hon Gerry Brownlee, was a high school teacher for over a decade, and it’s clear those skills have come in handy.
That’s it for another edition of Engage-in-Brief. Remember, you have a voice and you can use it. If you need training to support your advocacy efforts simply reply to this email. And if you try out one of this week’s tricks, let us know about it!
Mauri ora!
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