Trust Democracy Committee member Anna Curnow describes how local government is starting to embrace more deliberative and participatory approaches for its “superpower” of being close to its communities.
Category: Articles
This page links to longer pieces of writing. Shorter pieces can be found in posts on the News page.
My democratic sauna in Estonia
After travelling 17,000 kilometres to the 2023 Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, Trust Democracy’s Chair, Simon Wright, reflects on one of the most energising and inspiring conferences he has attended. It was just a shame that he was the only New Zealand delegate. It would have been hugely beneficial for New Zealand ministers, politicians, officials and civil society reformers to have been there too.
Open government, the media, and democracy
In a response to columns in the Dominion Post about government openness, Simon Wright and Andrew Ecclestone suggest the media involve their readers in shaping policy debates.
A quarter of the electorate are not represented in NZ’s Parliament: What should we do?
Whilst exploring an idea about providing representation for non-voters, Simon Wright was surprised to find that New Zealand’s A+ rated electoral system fails to represent a quarter of the eligible population.
On the path to democratic renewal
John Pennington suggests how the work of Canadian political scientist Mark E. Warren can help us help us think about the task of improving our democracy.