In the run-up to the 2020 election, we worked with other civil society organisations to try and make sure community sector concerns and aspirations after the initial COVID-19 crisis were on the agendas of our political parties.
Category: Educating
This page provides information about educational activities on how democracy could be made to work better by providing an overview of relevant pages and posts.
List of related pages
Charities Act Review
In collaboration with Sue Barker Charities Law, Trust Democracy facilitated the involvement of over 650 people and organisations in the 2019 review of the Charities Act. It appears that this input played a part in the Government’s decision to pause the review and reconsider its direction.
Explore- superseded
An eclectic selection of references to podcasts, books, papers and websites about democracy and ways of fostering inclusion.
Deliberative Engagement: Why, What and How for Local Government
The Review into the Future for Local Government recommends more use of deliberative engagement with the public. This page provides reasons for, and resources on how to organise, public deliberation for New Zealand local authorities.
Explore
An eclectic selection of references to podcasts, books, papers and websites about democracy and ways of fostering inclusion.
List of related posts
The Triple Alliance: Economics, Politics, and Power
Watch the video, review the presentation slides or read the transcript of Dr Ganesh Ahirao speaking to Trust Democracy’s AGM on 7 July 2026 on the topic ‘The Triple Alliance: Economics, Politics, and Power’
The Future of Democracy: from public opinion to public judgment through public deliberation
Watch the video or read the transcript of the Future of Democracy panel featuring Iain Walker, Chris Finlayson KC, Dr Claire Timperley and Max Rashbrooke. The event was held at Victoria University of Wellington on 11 May 2026.
Doing Democracy Better: Iain Walker speaking tour, 10-14 May
In May, Trust Democracy is co‑hosting a national speaking tour by Iain Walker, a leading advocate and communicator in the global effort to make democracy work better. This post provides tour details, including details of the public events in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and online.
Notice of 2026 AGM featuring Ganesh Ahirao
Trust Democracy is pleased to announce that its 2026 Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 July via Zoom.
A place of firsts: Learning from the Porirua Assembly’s innovations in Treaty-based governance
The Porirua Assembly on Climate innovated on the citizens assembly model in many ways. We organised an event for people to learn more about its governance, design and process innovations, what was learnt, and what comes next. We have split the discussion into 4 themed videos.
Two new $500 democracy essay prizes for politics students
Trust Democracy is delighted to announce two $500 essay prizes for undergraduate politics students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and Waipapa Taumata Rau—University of Auckland.
Twinkles of democratic hope
Trust Democracy’s Chair, Simon Wright, reflects on 2025 and finds some twinkles of democratic hope.
Deciding Together: The Future of A F Thomas Park – the Home of the Takapuna Golf Course
Trust Democracy committee member, Anna Curnow, shares initial reflections on Auckland Council’s latest deliberative forum, which she facilitated.
More Referenda, Better Democracy?
Watch the video or read the transcript of Associate Professor Matheson Russell speaking to Trust Democracy’s AGM on 12 May 2025 on the topic ‘More Referenda, Better Democracy?’
Media Watch: All eyes on Democracy
Over the last month, we may well have seen more media attention on deliberative democracy in Aotearoa than in the entirety of 2024