Policy-making Under Pressure

Public policy-making in New Zealand has a patchy track record. In many policy sectors New Zealand performs no worse than many other advanced democracies, and in some it is recognised as world leading. But it is clear that the system is under pressure. By international standards, New Zealand ranks poorly in some sectors, notably child poverty, affordable housing, youth suicide, water pollution and obesity. To better serve the ‘team of five million‘, how can the public policy process be improved? Mazey and Richardson sought to answer this question with the help of people with extensive policy-making experience, including former government ministers, senior public servants, commentators and representatives of key stakeholder groups. Drawing upon these first-hand accounts and linking them to classic theories of public policy-making, Mazey and Richardson explain why government ‘stuff-ups’ happen, and suggest practical steps the policy establishment could take to improve policy-making in New Zealand. Written for a wide audience, the book will appeal to anyone interested in how we might be better served by our government, as well as to public policy practitioners, researchers and students. Read more