Webinar: Petitions 101
Last updated: 20 August 2025On 1 May 2020 we ran a webinar on the power of petitions – educating people of all ages around New Zealand on how the petitions process works, how to create or sign a petition, and the changes in New Zealand law that petitions have influenced.
A petition asks Parliament to take action on an issue that matters to you—this could be something that affects all of New Zealand, like a policy or law, it could be a way to help your community, or it could be about something that affects just one person. Petitions are a great way for the public to MPs to hear from Kiwis on issues they're concerned about, particularly things that aren't already on Parliament's agenda. Petitions can be created by anyone, and you can petition on any issue that Parliament is able to take action on, and as long as it fits certain criteria.
The webinar’s presenters included:
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Alyson Groves (Parliamentary Officer (Table): Alyson is a petitions expert and answered questions about how people can create a new petition, or sign an existing one.
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Rt Hon Trevor Mallard: The then Speaker brought valuable insight to this webinar from the perspective of a Member of Parliament, and as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Eva Maffey and Victoria White, who both work in the Parliamentary Engagement Team at NZ Parliament.
Please note: The Standing Orders 2020, published after this webinar was created, included changes to the petitions process. This webinar and accompanying material has been updated to explain these changes. For more information please check the Petitions Committee page.
These are the links we shared during the webinar:
