Author(s): Geoffrey Palmer; Gwen Palmer Steeds

Politics | Aotearoa New Zealand Non-Fiction | 2023 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards

A survival guide to democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand, this book aims to unravel the mysteries of our political system and show how ordinary people can navigate the political world and influence decisions made by our government. Its 40 chapters include a succinct history of government in Aotearoa New Zealand; introductions to our principal institutions; interviews with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Governor-General, Speaker and Chief Justice; advice on how to campaign, complain and obtain information; and consideration of future challenges of climate change, decolonisation, and engaging rangatahi in the political process.

This important and accessible book outlines the principles and mechanisms of our democracy and its institutions, and shows how it can be made to function optimally through the participation of ordinary people. How can democracy address the problems of the future, such as climate change, decolonisation, diversity, and misinformation? Much of it written as a series of exchanges between Geoffrey Palmer (a former Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Attorney-General, and an expert on constitutional law), and his granddaughter Gwen Palmer Steeds (a student of political communication and political science and a youth political activist), the book is both urgent and engaging. Read it — and use it — to ensure democracy's survival. 

>>The authors, 2009 and 2022. 
>>Democracy on the defensive. 
>>A fragile form of government.
>>The case for a constitution. 
>>Not enough reform. 
>>What can we do about future injustices?
>>Towards Democratic Renewal.