Parliamentary Engagement

This team is responsible for Parliament's internal and external communications including media releases and responding to enquiries from the media and general public.

This team arranges parliamentary education programmes for members of Parliament, the public and overseas visitors. They also run the Education Centre, providing tours and educational programmes for visiting schools.

This team coordinates Parliament’s official participation as a member of inter-parliamentary organisations and the contacts between the New Zealand Parliament and parliaments overseas. The Inter-parliamentary Relations (IPR) Secretariat provides advice on inter-parliamentary relations and develops the annual inter-parliamentary travel programme. When the programme is approved, the IPR Secretariat prepares and services individual visit programmes. It also provides secretariat services to the New Zealand Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) branch and Inter-parliamentary Union group and the Regional Secretary for the CPA Pacific region. Where the New Zealand Parliament hosts an inter-parliamentary conference the IPR Secretariat undertakes the planning and management.

We identify barriers to accessing Parliament and work to reduce and remove them

Parliament belongs to the people of Aotearoa. We know accessing Parliament isn’t always the easiest thing to do, so we ask what gets in the way and work to change that.  

We focus on groups that are under-represented

It’s important that we hear from a diverse range of voices. We’ll continue to work alongside groups who have been underrepresented in engagement with Parliament like youth, Māori, Pasifika, and new New Zealanders. We’ll adapt to meet the needs of those communities and explore different ways to engage with these groups.

Connecting with Parliament is a safe and welcoming experience

We love when people connect with Parliament – whether virtually or in person – and we want to highlight the rich history, and mahi that happens here. Parliament will manaaki all those who engage with it so that they feel respected and valued.

How we will do this:

• Continue improving the physical accessibility of our spaces, from the parliamentary precinct in Wellington, to electorate and community offices around the motu.
• Increase our youth engagement through student media and outreach, and our youth reference group – Rito o te Pāremata.
• Ensure the interactions people have with Parliament—whether over the phone, in person, or visiting an MP’s office—are positive and helpful, and that all communities have access and know how to interact with Parliament.
• We continue to make New Zealand Parliament a more accessible and inclusive place to visit and work.

Te ao Māori is woven into all aspects of our engagement

We ensure the principles of Te Tiriti and te ao Māori are reflected in our mahi and that we are guided by He Ao Takitaki.  

We work with others to achieve the strategy

We find ways to collaborate and share ideas with the public, and our internal and external partners. We communicate openly and consistently and keep all our contributors in the loop from beginning to end.

We are committed to our Pacific partners

New Zealand has a unique partnership with our Pacific neighbours. We actively grow this partnership through knowledge sharing and capability building across the region, and through connecting with Pasifika communities in Aotearoa.

How we will do this:

• Continue to embrace an ao Māori way of being for the parliamentary agencies by meeting our He Ao Takitaki goals for our people, places, and relationships.
• Increase Parliament’s te reo and ao Māori resources, from improving the tikanga and reo knowledge of staff, to developing a Matariki visitor programme.
• Collaborate with our community partners to deliver events together through which we build understanding of Parliament, promote public participation, and increase the diversity voices in its business.
• Continue to work alongside our Pacific neighbours through Tai a Kiwa: Stronger Pacific Partnerships programme, and provide tailored support for our Pasifika communities living in Aotearoa to engage with Parliament.

We support Parliament to be agile and adapt to change

We recognise and celebrate that the world changes constantly, and even places built on tradition need to be flexible. We help Parliament adapt quickly to ensure continual and quality service, and public participation.

We challenge perceptions of Parliament

We think creatively, trial new tools, and make smart use of technology to enable and encourage greater participation than ever before.

We are a trusted partner among Parliaments

We want to make a big impression and be a source of advice and inspiration for other Parliaments around the world. To do this we’ll work closely together to exchange ideas, develop best practice, and learn from one another.

How we will do this:

• Continue to explore new technology to meet the changing needs of Parliament and ensure this enhances pathways for public participation.
• Build on existing networks, such as i-sites and tourism operators, and other partners across different sectors to expand our audience and ability to connect people with Parliament.
• Provide new gateways to Parliament through our more unique and unexpected services, like our on-site eateries and art collection.

We help people meaningfully connect with Parliament, regardless of the outcome

Everyone can’t always get what they want, but connecting with Parliament through petitions, submissions, or talking to an MP should be a positive, meaningful experience. We want Kiwis to feel empowered to have their say – and we will support them through this process.

We customise and tailor our resources and activities to our audiences

We recognise that one size does not fit all. New Zealand is full of diverse communities with different needs, and we make sure we meet those in the way that suits them best.

Members and their staff are our biggest champions - encouraging engagement and participation with Parliament

MPs and their staff work in our communities, and offices all around the country to help everyone learn about Parliament, and encourage people to get involved and have their say.

How we will do this:

• Explore new and improved ways to support the public to engage with select committees in a way that is meaningful for the committee process, and a positive experience for the public.
• Make it easier for people to understand and participate in parliamentary process online through improvements to our website and other online channels.
• Strengthen the understanding among MPs of their role in promoting engagement with Parliament through MP networks and reference groups.
• Create and promote opportunities for New Zealanders to better understand the ways they can participate and the value of doing so.

We show how Parliament is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders

No matter who you are, what you do, or where you are in Aotearoa – the decisions Parliament makes affect you.

We are a trustworthy source of information

Through the work of the House and select committees, MPs do work that changes the lives of New Zealanders. Media and public discussion on this work are welcome, but we are recognised as the definitive source for impartial, factual information on Parliament and its business.

We increase the visibility and reputation of Parliament

We help people understand how Parliament’s work may impact them and how they can have their say.

How we will do this:

• Look for new and unique ways to add value into our existing services, from introducing MP and staff pop-up talk segments to tours, to adapting our online learning modules for the public.
• Increase our proactive media engagement, strengthen our relationship with the parliamentary press gallery, and continue to offer internships to aspiring journalists.
• Explore ways to better support MPs and their staff in their work, such as through user-friendly resources and self-guided training to share with constituents.