#nzpol Importantly, was fun😁. And appreciate the opportunity🙏.

Trust Democracy@trustdemocracy.nz · 2w ago

We were delighted to have @ganeshahirao.bsky.social give such an engaging talk to our AGM. Watch the recording of his talk, or read the transcript & slides. A convincing explanation of why economics is inseparable from politics, power and our values. #democracy trustdemocracy.nz/2026/07/trip...

We were delighted to have @ganeshahirao.bsky.social give such an engaging talk to our AGM. Watch the recording of his talk, or read the transcript & slides. A convincing explanation of why economics is inseparable from politics, power and our values. #democracy trustdemocracy.nz/2026/07/trip...

The Triple Alliance: Economics, Politics, and Power - Trust Democracy NZ

Watch Ganesh Ahirao's address to Trust Democracy's 2026 AGM on economics, politics and power, and explore ideas for a better future.

trustdemocracy.nz

Come and hear Ganesh Ahirao speak at Trust Democracy's AGM on Tuesday 7 July. trustdemocracy.nz/2026/06/2026... Ganesh will be talking about the common element to discussions of politics and economics: power. Sure to be a stimulating conversation! Zoom registration link on the page for the AGM

Come and hear Ganesh Ahirao speak at Trust Democracy's AGM on Tuesday 7 July. trustdemocracy.nz/2026/06/2026... Ganesh will be talking about the common element to discussions of politics and economics: power. Sure to be a stimulating conversation! Zoom registration link on the page for the AGM

Interesting article by Simon Wilson (of the NZ Herald) about the deliberative forum set up by Kaipātiki Local Board to consider what to do with a local golf course and stadium when they need to plan for creating flood-detention areas. simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/hitting-go... #nzpol

Hitting golf balls in the dark

Deliberative democracy in action in Auckland

simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com

How can we strengthen democracy in Aotearoa? How do we shift from policy that responds to opinion polls & focus groups, to policy built on public deliberation? Listen to Iain Walker’s experience with citizen participation & discussion with a panel. trustdemocracy.nz/2026/05/futu... (1/2) #nzpol

The Future of Democracy: from public opinion to public judgment through public deliberation - Trust Democracy NZ

Watch or read the Future of Democracy panel exploring how citizens’ assemblies and public deliberation can transform public opinion into informed public judgement.

trustdemocracy.nz

How can we strengthen democracy in Aotearoa? How do we shift from policy that responds to opinion polls & focus groups, to policy built on public deliberation? Listen to Iain Walker’s experience with citizen participation & discussion with a panel. trustdemocracy.nz/2026/05/futu... (1/2) #nzpol

The Future of Democracy: from public opinion to public judgment through public deliberation - Trust Democracy NZ

Watch or read the Future of Democracy panel exploring how citizens’ assemblies and public deliberation can transform public opinion into informed public judgement.

trustdemocracy.nz

How can we make democracy work when issues are complex, contested & long term? Trust Democracy is co‑hosting Iain Walker (newDemocracy, Australia) for a NZ speaking tour, 10–14 May. Details of free public events in Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown & online here 👉 trustdemocracy.nz/2026/04/doin...

Doing Democracy Better: Iain Walker speaking tour, 10-14 May - Trust Democracy NZ

Iain Walker of Australia’s newDemocracy Foundation tours New Zealand, sharing practical insights on citizens’ assemblies and doing democracy better.

trustdemocracy.nz

How can we make democracy work when issues are complex, contested & long term? Trust Democracy is co‑hosting Iain Walker (newDemocracy, Australia) for a NZ speaking tour, 10–14 May. Details of free public events in Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown & online here 👉 trustdemocracy.nz/2026/04/doin...

Doing Democracy Better: Iain Walker speaking tour, 10-14 May - Trust Democracy NZ

Iain Walker of Australia’s newDemocracy Foundation tours New Zealand, sharing practical insights on citizens’ assemblies and doing democracy better.

trustdemocracy.nz

PM Panel: Improving Democratic Processes, chaired by Simon Wright of @trustdemocracy.nz, feat. @drdeanknight.bsky.social, @fleurfitzsimons.bsky.social and Dr Andrew Butler KC. Probably my favourite panel of the day, looking at ways we can address some of the many problems facing NZ's democracy.

Trust Democracy is deeply concerned by the NZ government's move away from a traditional census to an untested approach of relying on administrative data. We've responded to the Stats NZ consultation, and you can too, before Friday 19 December. Read our response: trustdemocracy.nz/wp-content/u...

As David Runciman warns in 'How Democracy Ends', democracies rarely collapse in a single moment — instead they hollow out from within. That’s the risk we see in two recent government bills. Read our submissions on the Public Service Amdt Bill & Electoral Amdt Bill trustdemocracy.nz/2025/09/wron...

The wrong direction: Restricting the franchise, paving the way for politicising the public service - Trust Democracy NZ

Two government bills weaken Aotearoa’s democracy by restricting the franchise and paving the way for the politicisation of the public service. Trust Democracy’s submissions call for more and better de...

trustdemocracy.nz

If you're interested in media coverage of democracy issues in Aotearoa New Zealand, keep an eye on our page 'Media Watch: All eyes on Democracy' trustdemocracy.nz/2025/05/medi... We're seeing greater media attention to democratic strengthening and resilience, like the Porirua Assembly recently.

Media Watch: All eyes on Democracy - Trust Democracy NZ

Over the last month, we may well have seen more media attention on deliberative democracy in Aotearoa than in the entirety of 2024

trustdemocracy.nz

A referendum may be presented to the voters of Aotearoa on a move to 4-year terms, and Parliament is considering a Referendums Framework Bill. Now is a good time to hear Associate Professor @mathesonrussell.bsky.social speak to the AGM of Trust Democracy on referenda. youtu.be/FsRQceYXTcs?...

Associate Professor Matheson Russell speaks to the Trust Democracy AGM, 2025

YouTube video by Trust Democracy NZ

youtu.be

We have submitted on the 4 year terms bill. The stated purpose of the Bill is to help improve law making. But no evidence has been presented that lengthening the parliamentary term and changing the balance of select committees would have this effect. trustdemocracy.nz/wp-content/u... Thread 🧵

More Referenda, Better Democracy? With New Zealanders likely to vote on extending the parliamentary term at the 2026 general election, join us at our AGM for a discussion about referenda and options for strengthening the public’s democratic voice. Register now! trustdemocracy.nz/2025/03/noti...

Feel privileged to be speaking at the Trust Democracy AGM in May. Anyone is welcome to join the meeting for the presentation and discussion. AGM business takes place afterwards.

Trust Democracy@trustdemocracy.nz · last yr.

More Referenda, Better Democracy? With New Zealanders likely to vote on extending the parliamentary term at the 2026 general election, join us at our AGM for a discussion about referenda and options for strengthening the public’s democratic voice. Register now! trustdemocracy.nz/2025/03/noti...

More Referenda, Better Democracy? With New Zealanders likely to vote on extending the parliamentary term at the 2026 general election, join us at our AGM for a discussion about referenda and options for strengthening the public’s democratic voice. Register now! trustdemocracy.nz/2025/03/noti...

A good article by Brian Easton. New Zealand's legislature is weak compared to many countries, and a four year term of office for governments should not proceed until our legislature has been strengthened. We made recommendations in 2022: trustdemocracy.nz/wp-content/u... bsky.app/profile/thes...

The Spinoff@thespinoff.bsky.social · 2y ago

Why we’re not ready to extend the parliamentary term

What has happened to the idea of a restful, fun festive season? We’re not 2 weeks into 2025 and already Trust Democracy has made 2 Government submissions: one on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill and another on proposals for a Regulatory Standards Bill. trustdemocracy.nz/2025/01/2-we...

2 weeks into 2025, 2 submissions: What’s 2025 going to be like?

This post notes the frantic start to 2025 and provides summary highlights of Trust Democracy’s 2024.

trustdemocracy.nz

Trust Democracy has published its submission on the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. We oppose the proposals. You can download the submission [PDF] here: trustdemocracy.nz/wp-content/u...

Kia ora! Trust Democracy is a civil society organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, working to strengthen democracy through research, education and demonstrating different ways of making democracy work as it should. Watch some our previous events: trustdemocracy.nz/category/eve...

Events

This page provides information about our events, including video and audio recordings, and transcripts.

trustdemocracy.nz

What's at stake in the upcoming US election? How can deliberative practices improve referenda? How might digital democracies be realised? Check out these Auckland and Wellington events on 5, 11, 12 June with deliberative democracy heavyweight, John Gastil. trustdemocracy.nz/2024/05/gast...

The Future of Democracy:  Hear John Gastil while he's in New Zealand

Find out about opportunities to hear Prof John Gastil on the future of democracy and promising democratic innovations at an early evening public lecture in Auckland, 5 June, and at lunchtime seminars ...

trustdemocracy.nz

Our chair, Simon Wright, with Tatjana Buklijaš and @maxrashbrooke.bsky.social, has a new article in Policy Quarterly article on the history of deliberative democracy in NZ. It documents 3 NZ cases - one each from the 1990s, 2000s & 2010s. #DeliberativeDemocracy ojs.victoria.ac.nz/pq/article/v...

Prof Anne Salmond will deliver a lecture on 30 April. Dame Anne will discuss how NZ is a democracy, not a company, how the weakening or avoiding of parliamentary & external checks and balances on executive power risks NZ becoming more authoritarian. Register here: vuw.eventsair.com/2024-sir-fra...