Every local government election there are those who advocate for online voting as a fix for dismal voter engagement.But while the convenience would no doubt be popular with many, online voting would not solve the historical low turnout rates, says Dr Julienne Molineaux from the Auckland University of Technology.“Overseas experience is that online voting tends read more

Call for papersThe 6th local elections research symposium is planned for Wednesday 27th November, adjacent to the annual New Zealand Political Studies Association conference at the University of Canterbury for those wishing to attend both events.This is an opportunity to present research that addresses aspects of the 2019 local elections. You are invited to submit read more

Last month The Policy Observatory hosted economics consulting firm Berl for a pre-budget breakfast briefing. We have video of the event for those unable to make it. The full session in one video is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0gfSDpNTqI&t=13sBut the presentations are also available as separate clips:Amanda Reid on The Treasury’s approach to wellbeing and how it fits read more

Ian Francis Shirley(28 February 1940 - 20 January 2019)New Zealand’s progressive causes have been driven by a strong sense of social justice. Ian Shirley was one of the nation’s strongest drivers.He was born in Kaiapoi and spent his early years in rural towns. His father Eric was a stock and station agent, and so the read more

It is with great sadness that we note the death of Ian Shirley, Professor of Social Policy at AUT, and before that Massey University. Founder of The Policy Observatory, Ian formally retired in 2016, but never stopped writing. His last Briefing Paper, on the child wellbeing strategy, was published in December. Ian will be remembered read more