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How are decisions made in New Zealand? Who has how much power in this process? How can citizens, businesses, iwi, and a diverse range of groups have a say? This course is an introduction to New Zealand politics and public policy. The course examines the core features of New Zealand’s political landscape: The constitution, how MMP works, the roles of leaders, cabinet and parliament, and then explores issues that matter to the public, and asks how citizens can participate in politics, what role powerful groups including the media play in decision making and how new, diverse voices can be heard, including your own. The course includes a field day working in local communities learning about leadership and public attitudes.
Students will be introduced to the study of political power in the context of New Zealand and to the art, craft and passion of politics as a process of establishing our visions of the good life, and to difficult common problems that face this small democratic polis or political community.Successful students will understand and critically evaluate the processes and institutions and evolution of New Zealand governmentStudents will learn to conduct applied political analysis through tutorial and field exercises, and a field policy report.Students will learn to write a critical essay and present an argument in politics with evidenceStudents will be introduced to issues influencing development of Māori representation, and representation of women and particular minority and political interests.Students will understand the contemporary reality of tikanga and colonization in contemporary politics and policyStudents will be able to identify and discuss the way issues like inequality and political ideas like neoliberalism have influenced broadcasting, social policy and economic development in a small society with a rapidly diversifying population.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
There will be one class afternoon field trip to two different electorates to be held on Friday 4May 12-4.00 pm in lieu of tutorials.
Bronwyn Hayward
Hayward, Janine; New Zealand government and politics ; Sixth edition; Oxford University Press, 2015.
Domestic fee $746.00
International fee $3,038.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .