Democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand : a survival guide / Geoffrey Palmer, Gwen Palmer Steeds.

Includes bibliographical references.

PART ONE: HISTORY AND POLITICS -- HISTORY -- You're the demos -- The beginnings -- He whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi -- The British empire arrives -- Colonisation and the New Zealand Wars -- POLITICS -- Communities -- The State -- Types of government -- Ideologies -- Big brains -- PART TWO: INSTITUTIONS -- POWER -- Who has what power? -- Catastrophes, power and Covid-19 -- ELECTIONS AND VOTING -- Elections, MMP and political parties -- Your vote -- Cabinet -- The prime minister's power -- The view from the 9th floor: interview with Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern -- The public service and state sector -- PARLIAMENT -Parliament -- The politicians' umpire: interview with Mr Speaker, Rt Hon Trevor Mallard -- The other side of the house: interview with Leader of the Opposition, Hon Judith Collins -- THE LAW -- Courts, judges, lawyers -- Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori and law -- In the engine room of justice: interview with Chief Justice, Rt Hon Helen Winkelmannin -- Inquiries -- International law, organisation and diplomacy -- THE CROWN AND THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL -- The mysteries of the Crown -Ceremony, community and constitution: interview with Governor-General, Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy -- LOCAL -- Local government -- PART THREE: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT -- MEDIA -- Political communication -- Media, news, and politics -- Social media -- ENGAGEMENT -- How to complain -- How to campaign -- How to obtain information and stay in the know -- Interest groups and lobbying -THE FUTURE -- Climate change -- Rangatahi -- Equality, inclusion and decolonisation -- And now? -- Tips and tricky words -- Māori words.

"A survival guide to democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand, this book aims to unravel the mysteries of our political system and show how ordinary people can navigate the political world and influence decisions made by our government. Its 40 chapters include a succinct history of government in Aotearoa New Zealand; introductions to our principal institutions; interviews with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Governor-General, Speaker and Chief Justice; advice on how to campaign, complain and obtain information; and consideration of future challenges of climate change, decolonisation, and engaging rangatahi in the political process."--Back cover note.