Public Affairs by Stuart Thomson

Author:Stuart Thomson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urbane Publications Ltd

Under MMP, coalition governments become the norm. Unlike the single party majority governments that dominated under the previous majoritarian first-past-the-post electoral system, these governments require formal coalition or other agreements with other parliamentary parties to obtain a majority.

MMP has also given rise to multiple minor parties representing a diverse range of interests in Parliament and these smaller parties have played a critical role in all governing arrangements under MMP thus far. In this sense, the political relevance of the minor parties means a greater number of touch points for the public affairs professional to engage with and increased avenues for influence in terms of the governing arrangement (Grey 2015).

Despite the rise of coalition government and more parliamentary parties, the party system is still dominated by the two major parties, the centre–right National and the centre-left Labour parties (Miller 2010). Furthermore, unlike many other OECD countries, New Zealand is a unitary country with only one house of parliament. This means governments can pass legislation relatively quickly, often reducing the opportunities for outside interests to influence the decision-making process.

As shown by the earlier anecdotes, elected representatives, including the Prime Minister, are comparatively accessible in New Zealand. Within the broader setting of the political system, this feature of the country’s political environment and culture has played a significant part in shaping the nature of the public affairs profession.

The availability is characterised by multiple access points for media on a day to day basis, low barriers to access for the average citizen through the enduring electorate-style political culture, and the influence and high success rate of interest groups in New Zealand. Within this context, we are also seeing a growing influence of Māori in political decision-making.

Multiple opportunities for media

A Chief Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister commented that with regard to Prime Minister John Key “overseas political staffers and media are always incredulous at how available he is” (Aston 2015). Media have multiple opportunities to speak to the Prime Minister through the week. He holds a 45-minute post-Cabinet press conference every Monday afternoon where journalists ask any questions they wish and when outside the parliamentary complex, he holds frequent ‘stand-ups’ with media. He delivers multiple speeches publicly in a week in both large and small venues and usually takes questions on any topic.

In addition, the parliamentary press gallery is housed on Parliament premises. These media have direct access to every Member of Parliament (MP) on their way to party caucuses or the debating chamber. They also sit in the gallery of the debating chamber and cover Question Time, where Ministers, including the Prime Minister, can face around 70 questions each day Parliament is in session.

MPs often visit the offices of the parliamentary press gallery and it is not unusual to see media and politicians in each other’s company.

Parliament proceedings are also televised live on the Parliamentary website and a dedicated free-to-air television channel.

Enduring electorate-style political culture

In addition to the multiple access points for media, barriers to access for the average citizen are also low.

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