Part 1 Governance, Power and Decision Making

This 149-page summary tells you all about the way NZ Govt systems were created and still remain that block democracy, transparency and accountability.

Part 1 – Parliament, Power and Decision-Making

Part 1 demystifies Parliament, the machinery of government, and the way major public decisions are made. It explains how the different branches of government interact, and how authority moves through the institutions that have developed over time.

It examines the roles of Parliament, core public services, the judiciary, regulatory bodies, and security agencies, as well as the influence of international agreements and institutional relationships. By examining how these structures operate in practice, this part identifies where complexity, distance, and limited transparency can make government difficult for citizens to understand — and leave people feeling they have little ability to influence decisions that affect their lives.

Part 1 then sets out a proposed alternative: replacing the political party system with a non-party, three-tier governance model. National decision-making would be undertaken by regional representatives serving on a National Governance Board, supported by independent sector advisers and transparent public information. Regional Boards would replace elected local government structures, while Community Boards would be strengthened to play a wider role in local advice, participation, oversight, and community governance.

The purpose is to shift decision-making away from party-political competition and toward citizens, communities, regions, and long-term national interests.