A title slide, Democratic Resilience and Transparency. Panel: Improving Democratic Process

Dr Dean Knight speaks at a lectern in Parliament's Grand Hall.

Fleur Fitzsimons speaks at a lectern in Parliament's Grand Hall.

Dr Andrew Butler KC speaks at a lectern in Parliament's Grand Hall.

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.

The Stats NZ consultation paper is at the link below.

You don't have to fill in their response form - you can email them, like we have.

Censuses relying on administrative data are only conducted in countries with population registers and ID cards.

www.stats.govt.nz/consultation...

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...

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...

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...

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

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.

Associate Professor Matheson Russell speaks to the Trust Democracy AGM, 2025 YouTube video by Trust Democracy 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?...

d. Reform select committee processes to be more thorough and better resourced.

e. Improve transparency by reforming the Official Information Act and appointing an independent Information Commissioner.

f. Combat disinformation through proactive policies and fact-checking.

b. Give voters a stronger role in shaping policy through deliberative democracy tools like citizens’ assemblies, as seen in Ireland.

c. Strengthen democracy by limiting the use of urgency and fully following legislative procedures.

...

Trust Democracy believes firmly that Aotearoa’s democratic system needs to become more robust.

Measures needed include:

a. Increase the total number of MPs and limit how many can join the Executive.

(continues...)

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 🧵

The log of Trust Democracy is displayed above a photo of Associate Professors Matheson Russell. On the right is the following text: More Referenda Better Democracy? Hear from an expert and discuss the issues! Monday 12 May 2025 at 6 pm in person in Wellington and via Zoom Register now on our website!

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.

The log of Trust Democracy is displayed above a photo of Associate Professors Matheson Russell. On the right is the following text: More Referenda Better Democracy? Hear from an expert and discuss the issues! Monday 12 May 2025 at 6 pm in person in Wellington and via Zoom Register now on our website!

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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...

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 ...

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...

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...